PUBG Publisher Krafton Offers Voluntary Resignations Following "AI-First" Investment

Krafton Inc., the South Korean publisher behind PUBG, has begun offering voluntary resignation packages as it transitions into what it calls an “AI-first” company.

According to a report from Business Korea (via Eurogamer), Krafton launched its voluntary resignation program internally on November 12. Employees who opt in receive compensation based on their tenure, ranging from six months’ salary (for one year or less) to a maximum of 36 months (for more than 11 years).

The company insists the initiative is not a workforce reduction, but an opportunity for employees to “proactively design their growth direction” during a period of rapid AI transformation.

“The core purpose is to support members in proactively designing their growth direction and embarking on new challenges both inside and outside the company amid the era of AI transformation,” a Krafton spokesperson said. “Members can autonomously decide whether to continue the direction of change internally or expand externally.”

During Krafton’s November 4 earnings briefing, CFO Bae Dong-geun confirmed that the company has also implemented a hiring freeze—except for roles tied to original IP development and AI research. He emphasized that, rather than cutting costs through AI, the company expects overall employee productivity to rise.

“We are stopping hiring for now,” Dong-geun said. “Individual productivity must increase at the company-wide level. We will later clarify whether this will impact the five-year franchise IP strategy announced earlier this year.”

Krafton announced its shift to an AI-first model in October, investing $70 million into AI development for long-term value growth.

The company reported its strongest financial quarter ever for Q3 2025, generating 2.407 trillion won ($1.6 billion) in revenue and 1.052 trillion won ($718 million) in operating profit. It marked the first time since Krafton's founding that its cumulative Q3 operating profit surpassed 1 trillion won.

However, not every Krafton-owned studio is embracing the AI vision. Unknown Worlds Entertainment—the developer of Subnautica 2—recently stated that it is not using generative AI in the new game and has no plans to change that stance.

“It is very unlikely that will change,” community manager Donya Abramo said. “Krafton gives us access to tools and resources, but we choose what fits our projects.”