Niantic Inc. has finalized the sale of its renowned game titles, including 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 distribution to Niantic's equity holders, totaling approximately $3.85 billion.
In a press release, Scopely highlighted that the acquired Niantic games boast over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs), more than 20 million weekly active users, and generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024. Pokémon Go, in particular, remains a powerhouse, consistently ranking in the top 10 mobile games since its launch almost a decade ago, with over 100 million unique players in 2024.
Niantic expressed optimism about the future of its game portfolio, stating that their development teams have "exciting long-term roadmaps" that they will continue to pursue under Scopely. They emphasized that the partnership ensures sustained support for their games, aiming to make them "forever games" that will endure for future generations. Niantic assured players that their beloved games, apps, services, and events will continue to receive investment and be crafted by the same dedicated teams.
Ed Wu, the chief of Pokémon Go, addressed player concerns in a separate blog post. He underscored the importance of the community and shared his belief that partnering with Scopely would be beneficial for the game's future. Wu, who was instrumental in the game's initial development, highlighted Scopely's admiration for the community and their team. He is confident that Pokémon Go will continue to thrive and expand, maintaining its mission of encouraging real-world exploration and Pokémon discovery.
Wu emphasized the continuity of the Pokémon Go team and their ongoing commitment to enhancing the game with features like Raid Battles, Go Battle League, and live events such as Pokémon Go Fest. He praised Scopely's approach of empowering game teams to pursue their inspired roadmaps and creative visions independently. Wu also noted Scopely's dedication to the game's long-term success over short-term gains, reinforcing their shared vision for the game's community and scale.
Wu reaffirmed the importance of their partnership with The Pokémon Company, which has been pivotal since the game's inception. He expressed gratitude for their guidance and excitement about continuing this collaboration. While acknowledging that Pokémon Go will continue to evolve, Wu assured players that the core approach to its development will remain consistent, with the goal of enhancing the experience for all.
Additionally, Niantic announced the spin-off of its geospatial AI business into a new company, Niantic Spatial Inc., to accelerate and scale its operations. Scopely is investing $50 million in this venture, which also receives $200 million from Niantic. Niantic Spatial will continue to manage its other AR games, Ingress Prime and Peridot.
