The June 2025 Lineup: IP at Its Best

Welcome to the first edition of the Yodo1 Licensing Blast, our new newsletter spotlighting the biggest moves in the world of game x IP collaborations.

Each month, we’ll highlight standout trends, live events, launches, and licensing strategies that are shaping the future of gaming - across mobile, PC, console, and UGC platforms. Whether you’re a game developer, publisher, or IP owner, this is your go-to for what’s working, what’s next, and how to be part of it.

This month, six bold new activations are proving one thing: the right IP collaboration can make or break your launch.

From console to mobile to UGC platforms, we’re seeing a fresh wave of cross-media innovation -and it's not just about slapping on a skin or two. These integrations are foundational, building deeper narratives, community involvement, and monetization strategies right into the core of the game.

Whether you're a developer, publisher, or IP holder, these examples offer a front-row seat to what works - and why it matters. And us at Yodo1 can help you in you brand licensing journey.

1. Death Stranding 2 x Usada Pekora (Kojima Productions)

PS5 | June 26

When Hideo Kojima brings a Hololive VTuber into his cinematic universe as a permanent NPC, it’s not a gimmick - it’s a message. Usada Pekora’s fully voiced character adds quests and lore, blending streaming culture with deep, narrative-driven gameplay.

Yodo1’s Take: Expect more VTubers and digital creators to appear in-game, not just in promo reels. This is the next phase of influencer engagement.

2. Fortnite x Squid Game (Epic Games)

UEFN | June 27–30

Squid Game joins Fortnite’s UEFN ecosystem, delivering survival-style gameplay and creator tools to build your own Squid-inspired maps. It’s IP meets UGC at scale.

Yodo1’s Take: This is the future of branded gaming—where the fans aren’t just playing the content, they’re creating it.

4. Honor of Kings x Hello Kitty – Phase 2 (Tencent)

Mobile | June 28

Five new skins and a 10-day sign-in event bring Sanrio charm back to the MOBA giant. The phased rollout strategy is textbook IP lifecycle management.

Yodo1’s Take: Cute doesn’t mean casual. Lifestyle IPs like Hello Kitty can massively expand your audience—especially in competitive games.

5. MARVEL Mystic Mayhem (NetEase Games)

Mobile | June 25

A tactical RPG that drops players into a multiversal showdown with Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch. This isn’t Marvel’s first mobile move—but it might be their smartest yet.

Yodo1’s Take: Marvel understands how to localize global IP for mobile-first markets. If you’re launching in APAC, take notes.

6. Persona 5: The Phantom X (Perfect World / SEGA-Atlus)

PC & Mobile | June 26

The Phantom Thieves return with a fully localized, cross-platform spinoff. With synced progression and global support, it’s the most accessible Persona title yet.

Yodo1’s Take: Cross-platform = cross-border. If you want your franchise to scale, eliminate barriers between players.

Activation Type Strategic Advantage UGC + Cinematic IP Empowers community creation and virality Lifestyle Brand Crossover Expands into new audience demographics Anime & VTuber Integration Taps into fandoms with high retention and spending patterns Narrative Franchise Scaling Lowers entry barriers for new markets and player types

Each of these partnerships goes beyond cosmetic. They represent a maturing of the industry, where gameplay, brand, and fan culture intersect in deeper, more monetizable ways.

This is just the beginning.

Every month, we’ll bring you a curated look at the most innovative and impactful brand x game integrations - plus expert insight from Yodo1’s global licensing team.

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