#Japan #Tokyo #Mobile Gaming #Scopely #Studio AuKnow

Scopely's Investment in Studio AuKnow: A Game-Changer in the Japanese Market

In a significant move, Scopely, Inc., a major player in the gaming industry based in Culver City, California, has announced a strategic investment in Studio AuKnow, a newly established game studio located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Founded in 2025 by Takuma Akitsu, the former content director for the wildly successful mobile game "Uma Musume: Pretty Derby," Studio AuKnow is set to chart a new course in the dynamic gaming landscape of Japan.

The partnership between Scopely and Studio AuKnow aims to bolster collaboration with top-tier game creators worldwide, while reinforcing Scopely’s long-term commitment to investing in one of the most vibrant and influential markets in gaming today: Japan. This partnership follows Scopely's acquisition of Niantic's gaming operations, which included popular titles like "Pokémon GO" and "Monster Hunter Now," underscoring its strategy to expand its footprint in the Japanese market.

Studio AuKnow boasts a team of experienced developers who have worked on acclaimed titles including "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket," "Onihei," "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," and "Sonic World Adventure." Under the leadership of Akitsu, whose stewardship of “Uma Musume” from concept to live operations has morphed it into a multifaceted entertainment phenomenon, Studio AuKnow is poised to leverage this rich experience to create original intellectual properties (IPs) that resonate with players globally.

"Uma Musume: Pretty Derby" has achieved historic success, generating over $2.4 billion in cumulative revenue since its launch in 2021 and earning prestigious accolades such as the "Best Mobile Game" at the 2025 Game Awards. Its unique narrative and engaging gameplay have fostered a passionate fan community, resulting in distinctions like the "Best Game" at Google Play’s Best of 2021 and multiple wins at the Famitsu & Dengeki Game Awards 2021.

Building on these accomplishments, Studio AuKnow aims to create a rich tapestry of experiences that goes beyond games. The studio is focusing on developing original IPs that evoke strong emotional connections with players while fostering vibrant community engagement. To this end, Studio AuKnow is actively expanding its team, hiring across various roles in engineering, game design, art, narrative, and cross-media production to build a robust development capacity.

Keiichi Kawai, the President of Scopely Japan, noted, "Japan is home to some of the world's most talented and innovative creators, and we are confident that they will continue to play a pivotal role in the global gaming landscape. This investment reflects Scopely’s long-term commitment to the Japanese market, supporting creators in their challenges to produce next-generation entertainment experiences that will have a global impact."

Bobby Loya, Scopely's Senior Vice President and head of studio development and developer relations, emphasized the significance of collaboration with brilliant creators, stating, "Scopely values partnerships with world-class creators who possess the extraordinary capability to craft experiences that resonate deeply with players. Studio AuKnow is an assembly of highly skilled talent that has significantly contributed to the success of mobile gaming in recent years. We are excited to support their growth and look forward to jointly creating new experiences for players around the globe."

Akitsu elaborated on the vision behind establishing Studio AuKnow, stating, "Our goal isn’t just to create new games but to nurture original entertainment IP that will be loved by fans for generations. In our search for partners for the next growth phase, we are confident that Scopely, with its wealth of knowledge in game development and operations, is the perfect ally. We eagerly anticipate the studio’s evolution through this investment and the new experiences we will offer to audiences worldwide."

Scopely plans to provide multifaceted support to realize Studio AuKnow's vision, including enhancing technological foundations and sharing expertise in global expansion. The Japanese market is deemed a critical base for driving entertainment innovation worldwide, and Scopely aims to continue deepening its investments and involvement in this vibrant ecosystem. The strategic collaboration with Studio AuKnow marks the beginning of an intensified effort to invest in the talented creators and studios within Japan, aiming to deliver new emotional experiences to audiences around the globe.

About Studio AuKnow

Founded in October 2025, Studio AuKnow is a Tokyo-based game studio engaged in both gaming and cross-media ventures. The studio is dedicated to creating diverse content by merging gaming with various media, including animation, manga, music, and live events, aiming to contribute to the evolution of entertainment. Its vision is to become the world’s number-one content production studio originating from Japan, currently in the development phase of new original IPs for mobile and PC platforms.

For further information, visit Studio AuKnow.

About Scopely

Scopely is a global company dedicated to the design, development, distribution, and operation of games and interactive entertainment, with a portfolio that includes hit titles like "MONOPOLY GO!" and "Pokémon GO." Established in 2011, Scopely has expanded through collaborations with various creators and development teams, building a robust business with over $15 billion in total revenue. Recognized multiple times by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential companies in the world, Scopely continues to foster connections between people through gaming and enrich daily life with positive experiences.

For more details, visit Scopely.