From Data Accumulation to Autonomy: The Evolution of Japanese Game Operations in 2026 | ThinkingData's 'Data→AI Meetup 2026' to be held on April 17 at Bellesalle Onarimon Tower
ThinkingData will host the free 'Data→AI Meetup 2026' on April 17, 2026. The event addresses the soaring costs in Japan's online game industry by proposing a shift to autonomous game operations driven by AI agents.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 23:29
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 15:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 01:41 (346h 41m after Collected)
**Event Overview**
Event Name: Data→AI Meetup 2026 ~From Data to AI, Build a Real AI Agent Team~
Date & Time: Friday, April 17, 2026, 13:00-18:00 (After-party from 18:00)
Venue: Bellesalle Onarimon Tower (3F/4F Sumitomo Fudosan Onarimon Tower, 1-1-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free (Pre-registration required)
Capacity: 250 people
Organizer: ThinkingData Co., Ltd.
[Register to attend for free]
The Japanese online game industry is currently in the midst of a clear turning point. The market size, which once peaked at approximately 1.36 trillion yen in 2017, has shrunk to about 1.01 trillion yen in 2024. To achieve sustainable growth during this period of restructuring, it is essential to break away from operations relying on rules of thumb and to achieve 'deepening of revenue' and 'operational efficiency' through advanced data utilization.
## Ballooning Costs and the 'True Value' of Data
Over the past decade, the average monthly operating cost of smartphone games has ballooned to about 6.7 times, and the average development cost is approaching 500 million yen. Under this high-cost structure, uncertain decision-making that is not based on data immediately jeopardizes business continuity.
We have accumulated vast amounts of data, defined KPIs, and refined analytical frameworks. However, in 2026, the 'form of utilization' is about to undergo a dramatic change. Until now, the standard process involved humans reviewing data, interpreting it, and devising strategies. However, in an era where the speed of decision-making determines business success or failure, the global standard for data utilization is shifting to 'Autonomous AI (AI Agents)'.
## 'Data → AI': The Evolving Engine of Operations
The arrow 'Data → AI' highlighted at this Meetup signifies directly connecting the asset of 'Data', which has been carefully accumulated, to the next-generation engine of AI agents. Based on a track record of supporting over 1,500 companies worldwide, ThinkingData defines the irreversible evolution of data utilization. It is a future that transcends the limits of human interpretation, elevating into agents where AI autonomously thinks and executes. By structuring Japan's cultivated 'tacit knowledge of operations' and connecting it directly to data through the latest MCP (Model Context Protocol) connection layer, we present a new operational model that autonomously completes everything from analysis to strategy planning and execution.
## The Legitimate Evolution of Data Utilization and the Scenario for a Counterattack
Even as technology evolves, the objective of 'maximizing the value of data' remains unchanged. At this Meetup, we will share the legitimate process of evolution: how to integrate the new technology of AI agents into practical work and 'autonomize' operations. We will delve deeply into this transformation with top runners in the industry.
Event Name: Data→AI Meetup 2026 ~From Data to AI, Build a Real AI Agent Team~
Date & Time: Friday, April 17, 2026, 13:00-18:00 (After-party from 18:00)
Venue: Bellesalle Onarimon Tower (3F/4F Sumitomo Fudosan Onarimon Tower, 1-1-1 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free (Pre-registration required)
Capacity: 250 people
Organizer: ThinkingData Co., Ltd.
[Register to attend for free]
The Japanese online game industry is currently in the midst of a clear turning point. The market size, which once peaked at approximately 1.36 trillion yen in 2017, has shrunk to about 1.01 trillion yen in 2024. To achieve sustainable growth during this period of restructuring, it is essential to break away from operations relying on rules of thumb and to achieve 'deepening of revenue' and 'operational efficiency' through advanced data utilization.
## Ballooning Costs and the 'True Value' of Data
Over the past decade, the average monthly operating cost of smartphone games has ballooned to about 6.7 times, and the average development cost is approaching 500 million yen. Under this high-cost structure, uncertain decision-making that is not based on data immediately jeopardizes business continuity.
We have accumulated vast amounts of data, defined KPIs, and refined analytical frameworks. However, in 2026, the 'form of utilization' is about to undergo a dramatic change. Until now, the standard process involved humans reviewing data, interpreting it, and devising strategies. However, in an era where the speed of decision-making determines business success or failure, the global standard for data utilization is shifting to 'Autonomous AI (AI Agents)'.
## 'Data → AI': The Evolving Engine of Operations
The arrow 'Data → AI' highlighted at this Meetup signifies directly connecting the asset of 'Data', which has been carefully accumulated, to the next-generation engine of AI agents. Based on a track record of supporting over 1,500 companies worldwide, ThinkingData defines the irreversible evolution of data utilization. It is a future that transcends the limits of human interpretation, elevating into agents where AI autonomously thinks and executes. By structuring Japan's cultivated 'tacit knowledge of operations' and connecting it directly to data through the latest MCP (Model Context Protocol) connection layer, we present a new operational model that autonomously completes everything from analysis to strategy planning and execution.
## The Legitimate Evolution of Data Utilization and the Scenario for a Counterattack
Even as technology evolves, the objective of 'maximizing the value of data' remains unchanged. At this Meetup, we will share the legitimate process of evolution: how to integrate the new technology of AI agents into practical work and 'autonomize' operations. We will delve deeply into this transformation with top runners in the industry.