Niantic Inc. has sold its Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now franchises, along with their development teams, to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company, for a staggering $3.5 billion. This deal includes an additional $350 million in cash, bringing the total value to approximately $3.85 billion for Niantic equity holders.
Scopely, a subsidiary of the Saudi investment firm Savvy Games, announced that Niantic's games boast over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs), over 20 million weekly active players, and generated over $1 billion in revenue during 2024. Pokémon Go, a flagship title, consistently ranks among the top 10 mobile games globally, attracting over 100 million unique players in 2024 since its launch nearly a decade ago.
Niantic assures players that its game teams will continue developing their existing roadmaps under Scopely's umbrella. In a blog post, Niantic emphasized its commitment to ensuring these games remain enduring experiences for future generations, promising continued investment and support from the same teams that created them. Players can expect the same games, apps, services, and events they know and love.
Pokémon Go's chief, Ed Wu, addressed player concerns directly in a separate blog post. He highlighted Scopely's admiration for the Pokémon Go community and team, expressing confidence that the game will thrive under Scopely's ownership, not just into its second decade, but for many years to come. Wu emphasized Scopely's commitment to supporting the team and providing resources to maintain the quality of gameplay.
Wu reassured players that the entire Pokémon Go team will remain intact, continuing to develop new content, including Raid Battles, Friends, Go Battle League, Routes, Dynamax/Gigantamax, and Pokémon Go Fest events. He highlighted Scopely's empowering approach, allowing game teams autonomy in pursuing their creative visions and prioritizing player experience. This approach, coupled with Scopely's long-term focus and private company status, allows for prioritizing long-term player satisfaction over short-term gains. Wu concluded by expressing gratitude for the community and expressing optimism for the future of Pokémon Go under Scopely's leadership, emphasizing the continued partnership with The Pokémon Company.
Separately, Niantic is launching Niantic Spatial Inc., a new company focusing on its geospatial AI business, with Scopely investing $50 million and Niantic contributing $200 million. Niantic Spatial will retain ownership and operation of Ingress Prime and Peridot.
