After weeks of speculation, it has been officially confirmed that Niantic, the developers behind the globally popular Pokémon GO, has sold its gaming division to Scopely, a Saudi Arabian mobile gaming company best known for developing Monopoly GO, the highest-grossing mobile game worldwide.
The deal, finalized this morning, was closed for a total of $3.5 billion and includes other titles such as Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom, but the crown jewel remains Pokémon GO.
Additionally, the agreement encompasses the acquisition of Campfire, a community engagement platform, and Wayfarer, a tool that allows the addition of new in-game locations. Scopely will also inherit the teams responsible for the development and maintenance of these games.
Niantic’s Statement on the Sale
Niantic’s CEO and Founder, John Hanke, shared his thoughts on the transition:
“Niantic’s games have always served as a bridge to connect people and inspire exploration, and I am confident that they will continue to do so as part of Scopely.”
Niantic’s Future Focus: 3D Mapping with Niantic Spatial
With the sale of its gaming division, Niantic is shifting its focus to building real-world 3D maps through its new division, Niantic Spatial, which will be led by Hanke. The division will launch with $250 million in capital, with $200 million from Niantic and an additional $50 million from Scopely.
Source: Niantic X
Scopely’s Rise as the Largest Mobile Gaming Company
With this acquisition, Scopely continues its ascent as one of the largest mobile gaming companies in the world. The company already boasts massive hits like MONOPOLY GO and Stumble Guys, two of the most successful and profitable mobile games.
It is worth noting that Scopely is currently owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), which purchased the company in 2023 for $4.9 billion.
The sale of Pokémon GO to Scopely marks a significant shift in the mobile gaming industry. While Niantic moves toward augmented reality mapping, Scopely strengthens its dominance in mobile gaming with a portfolio of the most lucrative and engaging games. Fans will be watching closely to see how Pokémon GO evolves under its new ownership.