The Turkish gaming ecosystem has produced another titan. Scopely, the global powerhouse behind Monopoly GO!, has entered a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in the Istanbul-based studio responsible for the viral hit Pixel Flow!. While specific financial terms remain confidential, the performance-based transaction values the young studio at over $1 billion, officially crowning it as Türkiye’s latest “unicorn.”
The Meteoric Rise of Pixel Flow!
Launched only in late 2025 by founders Kübra Gündoğan (CEO) and Emre Çelik (CTO), the studio’s ascent is unprecedented even by Istanbul’s high standards. Their flagship title, Pixel Flow!, found a “goldilocks zone” in the mobile market by perfecting the hybrid-casual genre.
- Massive Adoption: The game surpassed 10 million players within its first year of operation.
- Revenue Dominance: It remains the only casual title to consistently rank in the Top 20 highest-grossing mobile games in the U.S. over the past 12 months.
- Monetization Innovation: The studio utilized a balanced hybrid model, blending high-frequency advertising with deep in-app purchase (IAP) loops.
Why Scopely Bet Big on Istanbul
For Scopely, this acquisition is less about a single game and more about absorbing a high-velocity “hit factory.” Tim O’Brien, Scopely’s Chief Revenue Officer, pointed to the team’s rapid iteration cycles as a primary driver for the deal.
- Creative Independence: The 20-person Istanbul team will remain autonomous, preserving the “scrappy” culture that allowed them to outpace larger competitors.
- Global Scaling: Scopely will provide the “publishing muscle,” including advanced UA (User Acquisition) tech and live-ops infrastructure.
- Strategic Hub: The deal reinforces Türkiye’s status as the EMEA region’s premier game development hub, following in the footsteps of Peak Games and Dream Games.
| Feature | Pixel Flow! Studio Profile |
| Team Size | ~20 employees |
| Location | Istanbul, Türkiye |
| Previous Backers | Arcadia Gaming Partners, e2vc |
| Core Genre | Hybrid-casual Puzzle |
Türkiye: The Silicon Valley of Mobile Gaming
This $1 billion valuation validates the “Istanbul Model” of game development: small, highly technical teams focusing on data-driven creativity. Early investors like Arcadia Gaming Partners view this not just as a successful exit, but as evidence of the maturing Turkish ecosystem.
As global capital becomes more selective, the Pixel Flow! deal proves that investors are willing to pay a premium for studios that can prove profitability and scale simultaneously. With Scopely’s backing, the studio is now positioned to move from a “one-hit wonder” to a multi-title franchise operator, further cementing Türkiye’s dominance on the global App Store charts.