When the world went into lockdown, most people turned to Netflix or gaming for escape. But for the founder of Claw King, a late-night encounter with an online claw machine became the spark for something bigger. What began as a nostalgic thrill of remotely winning a toy from Japan has since evolved into India’s first homegrown “phygital” gaming platform—where the joy of arcade claw machines meets the convenience of your smartphone, and every virtual win delivers a real prize at your doorstep.
1. What inspired you to launch Claw King, and how did the idea take shape during the pandemic?
The inspiration for Claw King came during the COVID-19 lockdown. While stuck at home, I stumbled upon an online claw machine game for the first time. The experience was surprisingly immersive-controlling a real claw remotely, watching it live, and then actually receiving the prize I won, all the way from Japan, felt magical. It brought back the joy of visiting arcades, which had disappeared during the pandemic. That moment stayed with me. It was clear there was an emotional high in converting virtual effort into a tangible reward-and that this could be a big opportunity in India if done right. From there, I began researching the global claw machine market and noticed a clear white space: India didn’t have a hyper-localized version of this concept. That’s how Claw King was born.
2. Claw King blends the physical and digital: what were the biggest technical or logistical challenges in building this ‘phygital’ experience?
Building a phygital experience meant bridging two worlds that don’t often talk to each other-real-time game tech and physical logistics. On the technical front, we had to ensure low-latency live video streaming, responsive remote controls, and a robust backend to handle wallet balances, attempt tracking, and prize validation-all in real time. On the logistics side, fulfillment was the biggest hurdle. Unlike digital games, we’re actually shipping out physical prizes, so everything from inventory tracking to packaging, address verification, and shipping had to be bulletproof. Building this infrastructure from scratch while keeping it cost-efficient and scalable was one of the most complex aspects of the journey.
3. How is Claw King uniquely designed for Indian users compared to international counterparts like Clawee or Toreba?
Unlike Clawee or Toreba, which primarily serve global or East Asian audiences, Claw King is designed from the ground up for Indian users. From language and payment methods to culturally relevant prizes, we’ve localized the entire experience. While international apps often feature plush toys or niche collectibles, Claw King includes prizes that resonate with Indian consumers-from trending gadgets to cricket merchandise and regional pop culture items. We also designed the UX to suit Indian mobile usage patterns, kept the gameplay light and intuitive, and ensured compatibility with local UPI and wallet systems. It’s not just a copy-paste; it’s a cultural translation of a proven model.
4. You’ve stayed bootstrapped so far. How has that shaped your product development and creative choices?
Being bootstrapped has actually been a strength in many ways. It has forced us to stay lean, focused, and ruthlessly efficient. Every feature we build is driven by user value, not vanity metrics. We don’t have the luxury to burn cash, so our experiments are tight, our feedback loops fast, and our team deeply invested in the outcome. It has also given us full creative control-allowing us to take risks that a board might not approve, like launching a live hardware-driven game in a market that hadn’t seen it before. Staying independent has kept us closer to the user and more authentic in our approach.
5. What’s your vision for the next phase? Is Claw King just the beginning of a larger “phygital” ecosystem from Lucratech?
Absolutely-Claw King is just the first step. We believe “phygital” gaming-where digital gameplay leads to real-world outcomes-is a new frontier, and we want Lucratech to be at the forefront of it. The vision is to build an entire ecosystem of real-world games powered by digital access. Think: live carnival-style games, influencer-hosted arcade events, and reward-based trivia-all playable from a phone, with real prizes and instant gratification. We’re building not just games, but an entirely new category of entertainment that combines nostalgia, interactivity, and value.
6. As India’s gaming landscape evolves, how do you see skill-based and real-reward games like Claw King shaping consumer engagement in the entertainment space?
We believe Indian gamers are evolving fast-they want more than just casual time-killers. They’re looking for meaning, rewards, and real stakes. Skill-based and real-reward games tap into that perfectly. The emotional payoff of winning something tangible-not just points or badges-creates a stronger connection with the game. It transforms users into loyal players. As real-money gaming becomes increasingly regulated, real-reward games offer a middle ground-legal, engaging, and value-driven. We see this segment becoming a powerful engagement tool not just in gaming, but also in brand activations, influencer campaigns, and even retail gamification.
Claw King isn’t just reviving the magic of arcade claw machines-it’s rewriting the rules of how digital and physical worlds can merge. As India’s gaming community hungers for more immersive, rewarding, and localized experiences, Claw King stands at the intersection of nostalgia and innovation. If this is just the beginning, the future of “phygital” entertainment in India promises to be nothing short of electrifying.
Mr. Trilok Potluri, CEO & CO- Founder, Lucratech
