Scopely Makes Strategic Investment in Studio AuKnow, Founded by Creators Behind Mobile Game Megahit

Scopely, Inc. (headquartered in Culver City, California, "Scopely"), a leading game company based in the United States, announced a strategic investment in the Tokyo-based game studio Studio AuKnow Inc. (reading: Studio AuKnow, headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, President & CEO: Takuma Akitsu, "Studio AuKnow"). Studio AuKnow is a game studio founded in 2025 by Takuma Akitsu, former Content Director for "Uma Musume Pretty Derby".

This investment further strengthens Scopely's collaborations with top-tier game creators worldwide. It also embodies Scopely's ongoing commitment to long-term investment in Japan, one of the most vibrant and influential markets in the gaming industry. This partnership marks another step in Scopely's expansion in Japan, following the acquisition of Niantic's games business in 2025. Niantic's games business includes the Tokyo-based team behind "Pokémon GO," "Pikmin Bloom," and "Monster Hunter Now."

Studio AuKnow features numerous experienced game developers who have worked on titles such as "Uma Musume Pretty Derby," "Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket," "Onmyoji," "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth," and "Sonic World Adventure." Takuma Akitsu, the representative, led the planning, development, and live operations of "Uma Musume Pretty Derby" until 2024, playing a pivotal role in its evolution into a major entertainment franchise spanning games, anime, music, and live events. Prior to that, he was with Koei Tecmo Games, where he was involved in the development and operation of mobile and PC games.

"Uma Musume Pretty Derby" is one of the most successful mobile games in Japanese gaming history. It has surpassed $2.4 billion in cumulative worldwide sales and received the prestigious "Best Mobile Game" award at The Game Awards 2025. Since its release in 2021, its unique world has been passionately embraced by its fan community. In the same year, it was selected as "Best Game" in Google Play's Best of 2021 and received an "Excellence Award" in the Game of the Year Division at the Japan Game Awards 2021. Furthermore, it received awards in multiple categories, including Music, Character, Voice Actor, and Rookie, at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2021, earning high acclaim from various sources.

Building on this track record, Studio AuKnow aims to create original IPs that resonate with players for years to come, focusing on building rich worlds and fostering communities, with games at their core. To strengthen its development capabilities, the studio is actively recruiting and expanding its team across a wide range of roles, including engineering, game design, art, narrative, and cross-media production.

Keiichi Kawai, Scopely's President of Japan, stated:

"Japan is home to many creators with world-class talent and innovation, and we are confident they will continue to play a significant role in the global gaming industry. This investment demonstrates Scopely's long-term commitment to the Japanese market. We will fully support the challenge undertaken by these outstanding creators to 'create next-generation entertainment experiences and make an impact from Japan to the world.'"

Bobby Loya, Scopely's Senior Vice President (SVP) and Head of Studio Business Development & Developer Relations, stated:

"Scopely highly values collaborations with the world's top creators who possess a passion for creativity and an exceptional ability to craft experiences that resonate with players. Studio AuKnow brings together proven, talented individuals who have contributed to the development of some of the most successful mobile games in recent years. We are incredibly honored to support the studio's further growth and are genuinely excited to create new experiences together for players around the world."

Takuma Akitsu, President & CEO of Studio AuKnow, stated:

"Our purpose in establishing Studio AuKnow is not simply to develop new games. Our vision is to nurture original entertainment IPs that will be loved by fans for a long time, not just games, and to create experiences that stand the test of time across generations. As we considered partners for our next phase of growth, we are confident that Scopely, with its world-class expertise in game development and operations, is the optimal partner for us. We have high expectations for the studio's leap forward through this investment and for the creation of new experiences that we will deliver to everyone worldwide."

Scopely will provide multifaceted support to help Studio AuKnow realize its vision, including strengthening its technological infrastructure and sharing know-how for global expansion. The Japanese market is one of the most important hubs for Scopely to drive entertainment innovation on a global scale, and the company plans to continue strengthening its investment and engagement with a long-term perspective. Scopely has actively invested in talented individuals and studios worldwide, and it will further deepen these efforts in the Japanese market. Starting with the collaboration with Studio AuKnow, the company aims to expand investments in talented Japanese creators and studios and deliver new excitement to people around the world.

About Studio AuKnow Inc.

Studio AuKnow Inc. is a Tokyo-based game studio established in October 2025. The company operates in both the game and cross-media businesses, focusing on games while working to create content that fuses diverse media such as anime, manga, music, and live events, both online and offline.

The company was founded with the goal of contributing to the "advancement of entertainment" and has set a vision to become "Japan's No. 1 content production studio for the world." It is currently developing new original IPs for mobile and PC platforms.

To accelerate development, Studio AuKnow is actively recruiting and expanding its team across a wide range of roles, including engineering, game design, art, narrative, and production.

For more information, please visit https://studio-akw.co.jp/.

About Scopely

Scopely is a global company that plans, develops, distributes, and operates games and interactive entertainment. With a wide range of titles for smartphones, web, PC, and consoles, including "MONOPOLY GO!" and "Pokémon GO," as well as "Stumble Guys," "Star TrekTM Fleet Command," "MARVEL Strike Force," "WWE Champions," the "Scrabble®" series, and "Yahtzee® With Buddies," the company delivers game experiences that players worldwide can enjoy for a long time.

Founded in 2011, Scopely has expanded its business based on creators and development teams worldwide and its proprietary technology platform, "Playgami." In addition to developing original titles, it has broadened its portfolio through acquisitions such as FoxNext, GSN, and Niantic's games business, achieving cumulative sales exceeding $15 billion.

The company has been named multiple times to TIME magazine's "100 Most Influential Companies" and has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" and a "Best Workplace for Innovators." Scopely believes that games have the power to connect people, foster communities, and bring positive experiences to daily life.

The company currently operates in over 30 countries across four continents, collaborating with partners in each region. For more information, please visit https://www.scopely.com/.