It's a monumental day for fans of Pokémon Go, not due to in-game developments, but because of a significant shift in the gaming industry. Niantic, the creative force behind Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and Peridot, has been acquired by Scopely, the powerhouse behind Monopoly Go. This acquisition means that Niantic's impressive lineup of games now falls under Scopely and their parent company, Savvy Games Group.
The deal was sealed for a staggering $3.5 billion. As part of this acquisition, Niantic's augmented reality technology division will split off to form a new standalone company named Niantic Spatial, which will continue to operate Ingress Prime and Peridot. For fans, this transition should be seamless, with minimal disruption to service. However, for those keeping an eye on the broader gaming industry, this represents a significant shift.
Go-ing furtherFor a deeper dive into the business implications, check out our sister site PocketGamer.biz. This merger is a game-changer for both companies and could have far-reaching effects for the mobile gaming community—hopefully, in a positive way.
Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now have been increasingly profitable for Niantic, though Pokémon Go remains the flagship title. These games are not expected to face any disruptions. As for the wider impact on the mobile gaming industry, it's too early to tell, but this could mark a pivotal moment.
With the upcoming Pokémon Go Fest in Europe set to take place in Paris, it's already shaping up to be a big year for this beloved AR game. If you're eager to dive back into the world of these iconic pocket monsters, don't forget to use our list of Pokémon Go promo codes to give yourself a head start.