South Korean company KRAFTON has quietly released a new cricket game, Cricket All Stars, now available on Android in India. The launch took place without press conferences, trailers, or major announcements, yet the project’s appearance fits squarely into the company’s strategy of expanding its presence in India’s mobile gaming market. Cricket All Stars is being distributed in a soft launch format, which involves gradually growing the audience and gathering feedback ahead of a full release.
This format is not uncommon among major publishers, who prefer to test a product in the target region before committing to a full marketing campaign.
Arcade Gameplay Over Simulation Depth, With IPL Licenses
Unlike Real Cricket, which emphasizes simulation depth, Cricket All Stars bets on faster, more streamlined arcade gameplay. The controls are simplified, and the game is designed for short, dynamic sessions. This approach broadens the potential audience, attracting not only hardcore fans of cricket but also casual players.
The title features officially licensed Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants. Real athlete likenesses and authentic team kits have been recreated in the game, adding recognition and credibility in the eyes of fans.
From Quick Match to World Cup in a Single App
The range of modes on offer is quite diverse for a soft launch. Players have access to the following options:
- Quick Match and Friendly Match for fast-paced games
- Test Matches for fans of the classic format
- Indian Pro T20 League with licensed teams
- 20-Over World Cup for a tournament experience
- Real-time multiplayer
Beyond the game modes, the title features a team collection and development system, as well as Champion Pass, which handles progression and seasonal rewards. After each delivery, players receive tips and feedback on the quality of their batting shot, making it easier for newcomers to get to grips with the mechanics.
A TV Broadcast Experience on a Smartphone Screen
The visual presentation of Cricket All Stars aims to recreate the atmosphere of a major match TV broadcast. Camera angles, stadium lighting, fireworks and laser shows, along with the interface design, create the impression that the viewer is watching a real match on television. KRAFTON has announced support for 60 FPS, and based on early gameplay footage, the batting animations genuinely appear smooth and responsive.
First impressions of the title are positive. The arcade approach delivers a high tempo, straightforward controls lower the barrier to entry, and the visual quality is a pleasant surprise for a mobile title at the soft launch stage.
Cricket as a Strategic Priority in India
The arrival of Cricket All Stars is no coincidence. As far back as last November, during the publication of its earnings report, KRAFTON openly stated its intention to target the cricket gaming market and announced several projects being developed specifically for Indian users. At that time, the company also outlined plans to release at least three India-focused projects by fiscal year 2026. Cricket All Stars appears to be the first significant step in that direction.
KRAFTON’s bet on cricket looks well-founded not only in terms of player numbers. Interest in the sport in India is growing across multiple dimensions: search queries related to cricket break records year after year, and the betting industry is recording steady audience growth. According to data from major bookmakers such as Pin-Up, Parimatch, and 1xBet, the volume of wagers on cricket tournaments increases every season. 1xbet cricket betting activity in particular shows consistent growth around IPL and international competitions. When a sport attracts the attention of both viewers and bettors simultaneously, it stands to reason that mobile games on the same theme will find their audience. For KRAFTON, this is an additional argument in favor of long-term investment in the cricket segment.
A Second Cricket Title After Real Cricket
Cricket All Stars expands KRAFTON’s portfolio and becomes the company’s second cricket project after the Real Cricket franchise. In December, KRAFTON India assumed publishing duties for Real Cricket following investments in the studio Nautilus Mobile. That move already signaled that the South Korean giant intended to grow its presence in cricket beyond Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), which had long remained the company’s only major title in the Indian market.
At present, Cricket All Stars is available exclusively on Android via the Google Play Store in India and is being distributed in a soft launch format.
Caroline is doing her graduation in IT from the University of South California but keens to work as a freelance blogger. She loves to write on the latest information about IoT, technology, and business. She has innovative ideas and shares her experience with her readers.
