Niantic Inc. has officially announced the sale of its gaming division, including popular titles such as Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, along with their development teams, to Scopely, a company owned by the Saudi investment firm Savvy Games. The deal, valued at $3.5 billion, also includes an additional $350 million in cash to be distributed among Niantic's equity holders, bringing the total transaction value to approximately $3.85 billion.
In a press release, Scopely highlighted the robust performance of Niantic's games, noting that they boast over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs) and more than 20 million weekly active users. The games generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. Pokémon Go, in particular, stands out as a flagship title, consistently ranking among the top 10 mobile games since its launch nearly a decade ago and attracting over 100 million unique players in 2024.
Niantic expressed optimism about the future of its games under Scopely's ownership, stating that the development teams have "exciting long-term roadmaps" and will continue to build upon them. In a blog post, Niantic emphasized that this partnership will ensure the games receive the long-term support necessary to become "forever games" that will endure for future generations. They reassured players that the games, apps, services, and events they enjoy will continue to be supported by the same dedicated teams, with Scopely's investment backing them.
In a separate blog post, Ed Wu, the chief of Pokémon Go, addressed community concerns about the game's future post-sale. Wu, who was instrumental in the game's development since its inception in 2016, expressed confidence in the partnership with Scopely. He emphasized Scopely's admiration for the Pokémon Go community and their commitment to the game's long-term vision. Wu believes that Pokémon Go will not only continue into its second decade but will thrive for many more years, maintaining its mission of encouraging real-world exploration and Pokémon discovery.
Wu highlighted that the entire Pokémon Go team will remain intact, continuing to develop the game with the same passion and dedication. He mentioned ongoing features like Raid Battles, Go Battle League, Routes, and live events like Pokémon Go Fest, which will continue to evolve. Scopely's approach of empowering game teams to pursue their creative roadmaps was particularly appealing to Niantic, as it aligns with their focus on enhancing player experiences.
Wu also noted the continued partnership with The Pokémon Company, which has been crucial to the game's development from the start. He expressed gratitude for their guidance and shared vision, and reassured players that while Pokémon Go will continue to evolve, the core approach to its development will remain unchanged.
Niantic also announced the spin-off of its geospatial AI business into a new entity, Niantic Spatial Inc., to accelerate its growth. Scopely has invested $50 million in this new venture, with Niantic contributing an additional $200 million. Niantic Spatial will continue to operate other real-world AR games, such as Ingress Prime and Peridot.
