Niantic sells Pokémon Go and entire gaming business to Scopely for $3.5 billion

Niantic has agreed to sell its gaming business, including hits like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, to Scopely for $3.5 billion. The move marks a major shift as Scopely, known for titles like Monopoly Go!, takes over the development and management of these popular AR games.

Pokémon GO, launched in 2016, became a cultural phenomenon by blending augmented reality with location-based gameplay. The game has continued to maintain a strong global player base, making this acquisition a notable development in the gaming industry.

The deal includes Niantic’s entire gaming division, along with its companion apps such as Campfire and Wayfarer. Scopely has stated that the existing development teams for these games will stay intact, aiming to ensure a smooth transition and continuous support for players.

“We have reached an agreement for Scopely, a world leader in mobile games, to acquire Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and the incredible teams working on these experiences, for $3.5 billion from Scopely with an additional $350 million of cash from Niantic being distributed as part of the deal, yielding a total value of approximately $3.85 billion for Niantic equity holders,” Niantic said in a post on its website.

Mixed Reactions from the Community

The gaming community has had a mixed response. Some players are hopeful that Scopely will bring new content and fresh ideas to these franchises. Others are concerned about potential changes in monetization strategies, especially given Scopely’s connections to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. For many fans, the future of their favorite games feels uncertain.

Niantic’s Next Chapter

While stepping back from gaming, Niantic is shifting its focus to tech innovation. The company has launched Niantic Spatial Inc., which will develop geospatial AI. This initiative is centered around building a Large Geospatial Model (LGM) to improve how machines and humans interact with physical spaces. Using years of collected data, Niantic aims to create detailed 3D maps that could support sectors like robotics, AR, and autonomous systems.

What’s Next for Scopely and Niantic?

This deal signals Scopely’s push to strengthen its portfolio and influence in the mobile gaming market. For Niantic, it’s a pivot into new territory where it can apply its expertise in mapping and AR technology.

Both companies are entering new chapters, and players and developers will be watching closely to see how these changes shape the future of AR gaming and geospatial tech.