US-based game company Scopely announced a strategic investment in Studio AuKnow on July 2.
Studio AuKnow is a Japanese game development studio founded by Takuma Akitsu, best known for his work on Cygames’s hit title Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Serving as the title’s content director until 2024, Takuma led Umamusume’s planning, development and live operations. His new studio, founded in October 2025, focuses on game development as well as cross-media IP production. It houses 30 employees, and according to 4Gamer, staff members who previously worked on the development of titles like Final Fantasy Rebirth VII, Pokémon TCG Pocket, and Onmyoji.
The partnership with Studio AuKnow comes as the next step in Scopely’s long-term investment strategy in Japan. In 2025, the company acquired Niantic’s game business, including its Tokyo-based development teams behind Pokemon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.
While the specific amount of the investment in Studio AuKnow was not disclosed, Scopely will provide the company with “multifaceted support,” including strengthening the studio’s technical infrastructure and sharing know-how for global expansion.
Studio AuKnow hasn’t unveiled any projects yet, but its job listings indicate that it has a new mobile game IP development.
