Scopely has recently made headlines with its acquisition of Niantic, a major player in the augmented reality gaming sector, for a staggering $3.5 billion. This deal brings popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now under the Scopely umbrella.
Pokémon GO, a phenomenon since its launch in 2016, continues to thrive, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 mobile games every year, showcasing its enduring appeal.
Pikmin Bloom, launched in 2021 in collaboration with Nintendo, has also seen significant growth. Players logged an impressive 3.94 trillion steps in 2024, with in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany drawing thousands of enthusiasts.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest offering since its September 2023 launch, has already surpassed 15 million downloads. Alongside these games, Niantic's development teams and support apps like Campfire and Wayfarer will also transition to Scopely. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, seeing over six million event check-ins in 2024, while Wayfarer has added more than 11.5 million new location points since 2019.
What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?
For players, the immediate impact may be minimal. Scopely's existing portfolio, including titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games will continue to thrive under their new management.
Scopely has committed to bolstering the development teams with additional resources and enhancing the games with new AR experiences. It will be interesting to see how these enhancements unfold in the near future.
Before you go, don't miss out on the excitement of Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available now on the Google Play Store. Also, take a moment to catch up on our latest news about KartRider Rush+ Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.
