Niantic has sold its gaming division, including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, to Scopely for $3.5 billion. Scopely, known for free-to-play mobile games, aims to enhance these titles while Niantic shifts focus to augmented reality and geospatial technologies. Despite the transition, current management and game experiences are expected to remain stable, with additional resources provided by Scopely. Upcoming events in Pokémon GO include Insectomania and Community Days featuring Chochodile and Kaiminus.
Niantic Sells Gaming Division to Scopely
Recently, it was announced that Niantic is parting ways with its gaming division, transferring ownership of several popular titles to Scopely. This significant move involves three major games: Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, along with the community app Campfire and the Wayfarer service, all for a total of $3.5 billion (approximately €3.21 billion).
Understanding Scopely and the Reasons Behind the Change
Before assessing the potential impact on Pokémon GO and other acquired games, it’s essential to understand the background of Scopely. Established in 2011, Scopely specializes in free-to-play mobile games and has developed notable titles such as Dice with Buddies, Mini Golf MatchUp, Wordly, The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, WWE Champions, Star Trek Fleet Command, Kingdom Market, and the recently released Monopoly GO in 2023. Interestingly, Scopely was acquired by the Savvy Games Group for $4.9 billion (approximately €4.48 billion) in the same year. This Saudi fund, created in 2021, aims to diversify the economy and bolster the nation’s gaming industry, holding stakes in renowned companies like Nintendo, Electronic Arts, Capcom, and Nexon.
Now that you have a clearer picture of Scopely, let’s explore why Niantic opted to divest its gaming sector. In an official statement, Niantic reflects on its journey, emphasizing its decision to sell its mobile games.
Initially, Niantic functioned as a subsidiary of Google before becoming independent, with the goal of promoting real-world exploration and fostering connections in an increasingly digital age. To achieve this vision, they began developing mobile games centered around augmented reality, starting with Ingress. However, their most successful title remains Pokémon GO, which reignited the Pokémania phenomenon in 2016. Despite the monumental success of Pokémon GO, attempts to launch other titles like Harry Potter Wizards Unite fell short, while Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom continue to exist but haven’t reached the same level of acclaim.
In addition to gaming, Niantic focused on advancing augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technologies. The rapid progression of artificial intelligence has reinforced their belief that geospatial computing will unlock new opportunities for both public experiences and enterprise applications. Their commitment to creating timeless games remains steadfast, leading to the establishment of Niantic Spatial Inc, which will focus on augmented reality, AI, and geospatial tech, while the segment acquired by Scopely will continue developing the games created under Niantic Labs.
What to Expect for Pokémon GO Moving Forward
When a game transitions to a new developer, it often leads to changes, and players may wonder what modifications could be on the horizon. However, for the time being, there are no anticipated changes. According to a statement from Scopely founders Javier Ferreira and Walter Driver, the experience you know and love will continue to be managed by the same teams as before. Scopely’s role is to offer additional resources and support to these teams. Furthermore, Ed Wu, who leads the Pokémon GO team, echoes these sentiments, adding that while he cannot guarantee that nothing will change, the game is designed to evolve continuously.
If you’re looking for more insights into Pokémon GO, check out our guides, which provide helpful information on unlocking the Dynamax Band, the Mega Bracelet, and tips for achieving evolutions with ease.
The month of March holds significant importance in Pokémon GO, featuring iconic events like Insectomania and Community Days focused on Chochodile and Kaiminus. Be sure to mark your calendars for these unmissable events.