Pokémon Go Dev Assures Players Post $3.5B Sale to Monopoly Go! Firm

Niantic Inc. has announced the sale of its flagship games, 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, bringing the total value to approximately $3.85 billion for Niantic's equity holders.

In a press release, Scopely highlighted that Niantic's games boast over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs) and more than 20 million weekly active users, generating over $1 billion in revenue in 2024. Pokémon Go remains the standout title, consistently ranking in the top 10 mobile games since its launch almost a decade ago, and attracting over 100 million unique players in 2024.

Niantic expressed optimism about the future, stating that the game teams have "exciting long-term roadmaps" that will continue under Scopely's umbrella. In a blog post, Niantic emphasized that the partnership ensures the games will receive the long-term support necessary to become "forever games" that endure for future generations. They reassured players that the beloved games, apps, services, and events will continue to thrive with the same teams driving their development.

Scopely has acquired Niantic's entire games business for $3.5 billion. Image credit: Scopely.

Pokémon Go's chief, Ed Wu, addressed the community's concerns in a separate blog post. Wu, who has been integral to the game since its inception, expressed confidence in the partnership with Scopely. He believes that the game will not only continue into its second decade but will flourish for many years to come, 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 adding new features and experiences, such as Raid Battles, Go Battle League, Routes, and live events like Pokémon Go Fest. He noted that Scopely supports autonomous game teams, allowing them to pursue their creative visions and prioritize player experience. Wu also highlighted the importance of Scopely's status as a private company, which allows for long-term focus over short-term gains.

With Scopely's resources and commitment, Wu envisions enhancing Pokémon Go's community engagement and real-world events, while continuing the strong partnership with The Pokémon Company. He expressed gratitude for serving the game's community and confidence that the best is yet to come.

In other news, Niantic is spinning off its geospatial AI business into a new entity, Niantic Spatial Inc., with a $50 million investment from Scopely and $200 million from Niantic itself. Niantic Spatial will continue to operate other AR games like Ingress Prime and Peridot.