INDEPENDENT computer game developer Kobojo has confirmed plans to increase its Scottish staff by more than 50 per cent after raising $7 million of funding.

The company already employs 25 developers in Dundee and intends to take this to more than 40 over the next 18 months.

The cash is being used initially to launch a new role playing game (RPG) called Zodiac which also has people from Kobojo's bases in Paris, Tokyo and Kyoto working on it.

Members of the development team have previously worked on the popular Final Fantasy series of games.

The investors who have provided the backing are Oxford Capital Partners, Endeavour Vision and the Scottish Investment Bank.

The deal was put together by boutique technology funding house Blueprint Partners.

Kobojo chief executive Mario Rizzo said: "This crucial round of funding enables us to forge ahead to create absolutely amazing RPG experiences for a massive global audience of gaming customers that grows daily."

Zodiac was previewed at the Tokyo Games show last year but has yet to launch.

The multiplayer game, which will be available on Apple devices first and then rolled out across different formats, follows a story involving 12 gods that represent the zodiac signs.

Kobojo, set up in 2008 and with its headquarters in France, set up a development studio in Dundee in September last year to work on Zodiac after receiving a $750,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise.

Kerry Sharp, of the Scottish Investment Bank, said: "We are very pleased that Scottish Enterprise has played a part in attracting Kobojo to the Scottish game development landscape.

''As a developer of in-demand games, Kobojo has a proven track record of success and with its new Dundee office, the studio is set for many more triumphs.''

Martyn Holman, of Oxford Capital Partners, said: "Kobojo is a rising star in mobile gaming, a sector that shows tremendous potential. It has transcended geographical regions and achieved success in America, Europe and Asia.

"The studio's deep experience in all levels of game development, particularly in mobile and core gaming, position it for strong growth in the future.

"There is significant M&A interest in the mobile gaming market, particularly for companies that have shown real innovation. Kobojo's expertise in touch devices, multiplayer technology and hand drawn graphics make it stand out as a future leader and we expect the company to attract significant interest."

Kobojo's other game is called Mutants Genetic Gladiators which is free to play on Facebook and said to be launching on other platforms.