Observed Signal · Jul 6, 2026 · Funding · Source: Mobilegamer.biz · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Scopely Invests in Studio Auknow
Scopely has made a strategic investment in Tokyo-based Studio AuKnow, a game studio founded in 2025 by former Umamusume: Pretty Derby content director Takuma Akitsu. Studio AuKnow brings together developers who worked on titles including Umamusume, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Onmyoji and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and is developing original mobile and PC IP with a cross-media focus (anime, manga, music, live events). Scopely said it will support the studio by strengthening its technology foundation and sharing global expansion expertise; the investment amount was not disclosed. Scopely Japan president Keiichi Kawai framed the move as a long-term commitment to Japan. (Previous reporting noted Umamusume: Pretty Derby has over 18 million downloads and around $2.4 billion in revenue since 2021, ~95% from Japan.)
Strategic investment by a major mobile games publisher (Scopely) into a Japanese studio signals continued investment in Japanese IP and mobile gaming — relevant to gaming publishers and platform monetization, but not a major industry-shifting event for AdTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Scopely made a strategic investment in Tokyo-based Studio AuKnow.
- Studio AuKnow was founded in 2025 by former Umamusume: Pretty Derby content director Takuma Akitsu.
- Studio AuKnow is developing original IP for mobile and PC with a cross-media franchise focus (anime, manga, music, live events).
- Scopely will support the studio with technology and global expansion expertise.
- The investment amount was not disclosed.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“Scopely has made a “strategic investment” in Studio Auknow, the new studio established by the former director of Umamusume: Pretty Derby....”
“According to Appmagic, 58 per cent of downloads – that’s around 10.8m – were in Japan, while the English localization ... has been downloade...”
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Umamusume Hits $105.7M Overseas Mobile Revenue
Umamusume: Pretty Derby has generated $105.7 million in gross mobile player spending in its first year outside Japan following a worldwide launch on June 26, 2025. AppMagic estimates international spending represents about 5% of the game's $2.8 billion lifetime mobile revenue. The game's largest single-day overseas revenue was $2.2 million on July 16, 2025, driven by the Brand New Friends story update and a Kitasan Black support-card gacha banner. The United States accounted for roughly 70% of overseas mobile spend ($74.3m), with Canada ($5.7m) and Australia (~$4.3m) trailing. Early months after launch saw the highest monthly returns, but daily revenues have since dropped and rarely exceed $600,000 in 2026.
Niantic games team rebrands as Scopely Explore
Scopely has rebranded the former Niantic games team — the group behind titles such as Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now — as Scopely Explore. The unit will remain a "mission-driven team" inside Scopely rather than a separate company. The rebrand follows Scopely’s $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic last year, which included Niantic’s game teams and companion services such as Campfire and Wayfarer. Scopely said the new name reflects the team’s focus on "exploration" and that it will continue building outdoor, connective experiences as part of Scopely. Appmagic data cited in the article notes Pokémon Go has generated over $6.35 billion in lifetime revenue across a billion downloads.
Niantic games team rebrands to Scopely Explore
Scopely has renamed the Niantic games team it acquired for $3.5 billion to Scopely Explore, one year after the acquisition. Scopely said Scopely Explore is not a separate company or subsidiary and that the Niantic name will be phased to Scopely Explore across platforms over the coming weeks. Niantic Spatial — the spin‑off created during the deal — remains a separate business focused on its own technology and operating titles such as Ingress Prime and Peridot. The acquisition included major mobile AR titles including Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now. AppMagic estimates Pikmin Bloom has generated over $35m in player spending in H1 2026.
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