Tako Studio
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- 1-10
- Offices
- 2
About Tako Studio
Tako Studio is an independent video game development and real-time 3D production studio founded in March 2018 by French 3D artist and director Jonathan Duval. Originally established in the Paris metropolitan area and now based in Tokyo, the studio combines original game development with commercial 3D production, technical consulting and professional training. Its work uses Unreal Engine to create stylized interactive experiences, spatial puzzles and architectural environments.
The studio developed and published Minimal Move, a cooperative 3D puzzle-adventure game released on PC through Steam and Nintendo Switch in March 2021. Its puzzles revolve around spatial block manipulation and cooperation between the protagonists Ido and Kaiten. The project established the studio’s focus on combining three-dimensional environments with teamwork and puzzle design.
Its follow-up, Minimal Move 2, is in development for mobile devices, PC and Nintendo Switch. The Unreal Engine 5 sequel expands the puzzle mechanics with non-linear level design and solo and duo progression across distinct stylized worlds.
The studio also develops interactive cultural heritage experiences. Released on Android through Google Play in 2026, Nihon Legacy uses Unreal Engine 5 to reconstruct Japanese landmarks for real-time exploration, beginning with Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Shrine. This work extends the studio’s environment production into applications centered on architecture and cultural discovery.
Alongside its independent projects, Tako Studio offers game programming, Blueprint scripting, level design, environment modeling, texturing, look development and real-time lighting. Its technical services cover mobile and VR optimization, including draw calls, levels of detail, shader efficiency and the balance between dynamic and baked lighting. Consulting and individual live training support developers working toward Unreal Engine mobile game delivery. The studio’s commercial production portfolio also includes props, lighting, rendering and compositing for broadcast advertising.
More about Tako Studio
Leadership and operating model
Jonathan Duval serves as creative director and lead artist. Before establishing the studio, he accumulated more than a decade of experience in television animation, commercial CGI and architectural visualization. He is solo-developing Minimal Move 2, with the wider studio operating on a boutique basis alongside external project contributors. The report also identifies his Unreal Authorized Instructor credential.
Production methods
The Meiji Jingu reconstruction was developed from photographic references gathered in Tokyo and became the foundational environment for Nihon Legacy.
Recognition and development support
- Minimal Move received Le Coup de Cœur du Jury at Indie Game Factory 2018 and Best Game Design at the Taipei Game Show 2021.
- The game was selected for the Tokyo Game Show and the French Indie Game Contest.
- Its development received support from the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée, Région Île-de-France and an Epic MegaGrant.
Notable credits
5 creditsOffices
Current and former locations of Tako Studio
- Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo office
HeadquartersCurrent headquarters and sole operating base; no public street address is supplied.
- Paris, Île-de-France, France
Paris office
- 108 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92240 MalakoffMalakoff, Île-de-France, France
Malakoff office
Former officeClosed 2019
Former registered office in the Paris metropolitan area, preceding the transfer to Vincennes.
- 24 Boulevard de la Libération, 94300 VincennesVincennes, Île-de-France, France
Vincennes office
Former officeClosed 2024
Former French registered office following the transfer from Malakoff; the French entity ceased operations in February 2024.
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