Pokémon GOdeveloper Niantic has been sold to mobile gaming developer Scopely for $3.5B. Niantic is the company behindPokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom,andMonster Hunter Now,Augmented Reality (AR) gaming hits that require players to go out and interact with the world both physically and virtually. The developer is also behind several non-game programs, including Campfire and Wayfarer.
Niantic’s games assets will be folded into Scopely, and Niantic is spinning off its geospatial platform into a new company called Niantic Spatial,according to a report byThe Hollywood Reporter. Scopely is the mobile gaming giant behind several hit titles centered around well-known IPs, includingMonopoly Go!, Star Trek Fleet Command,andMarvel Strike Force.As of 2024,Games Industryreports that Scopely is the second-largest mobile game developer by revenue in the world, surpassed only by Tencent. The acquisition adds three new IPs under the giant’s belt, as well as any future titles that Niantic works on.
What Scopely Buying Niantic Means
The Deal May Make Scopely The Most Lucrative Mobile Company
Scopely’s acquisition of Niantic means an additional source of revenue for the industry behemoth. According to The Hollywood Reporter,Niantic’s gaming arm has over 30 million active monthly players and earned more than $1 billion in 2024,thanks to its hit games from well-known franchises. Niantic is best known for its work onPokémon GO,which is still going strong after nearly a decade, earning $544 million in 2024 according toStatista.
10 Shiny Pokémon In Pokémon GO You’ll Be Sad You Missed Out On
Unfortunately, there are plenty of shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO that are no longer available because they tend to be exclusive for raids or events.
The company has several other games in its pocket.Pikmin BloomandMonster Hunter Nowmight not matchPokémon GO’sstar power, but they’re no small fries, either. APocket Gamerreport placesPikmin Bloom’s2024 revenue at$33.1 million, while Monster Hunter Now, which ran acollaboration withMonster Hunter Wildsearlier this month, earnedover $251.7 millionin its just its first year, according to a different report fromPocket Gamer. The Scopely deal with Niantic may justpush Scopely to the top of the mobile revenue earning ladder in the coming year.
A Major Deal For Gaming & For Players
It’s Still Unclear How This Deal Will Affect Players
Although the acquisition is a huge step forward for both companies, Ed Wu, senior VP ofPokémon Goassures players that they’ll remain unaffected. According to Wu,Scopely’s goal of “cultivating meaningful communities through a shared love of play” aligns with Niantic’s philosophy.Wu states:
“Our mission remains clear: to inspire people to discover Pokémon in the real world together… Most importantly, we’ll remain focused on the excitement and experience of discovering Pokémon in the real world.”
As part of the deal,the branch of Niantic that’s in charge of augmented reality games will be rebranded as Niantic Spatial,a geospatial AI company that will be helmed by Niantic’s founder, John Hanke, who has also worked with other geospacial projects including Google Earth. Niantic Spatial will continue to be in charge of the company’s lesser-known titles,Ingress PrimeandPeridot.
Scopely plans to continue providing all the same services as Niantic did to the massive player base of the company’s games, including hosting live events like theupcomingPokémon GOfest. The $3.5 billion deal is set to transform mobile gaming as Scopely continues to support Niantic’s millions ofPokémon GO,Pikmin Bloom,andMonster Hunter Nowplayers.
