Niantic offloads 'Pokémon Go,' game division to Scopely in US$3.5 billion deal
Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:00PM 
Image: Niantic
Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, has sold its gaming division to Scopely, a mobile game company owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, for US$3.5 billion. The acquisition includes popular titles like Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. This move signals a significant shift for Niantic, which will now concentrate on its geospatial technology and artificial intelligence mapping initiatives under the newly formed Niantic Spatial.
Scopely, known for its "aggressive monetization" strategies, will absorb Niantic's game development teams and their lucrative portfolio, which generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024. Pokémon Go, a global sensation with over 20 million weekly active users, will join Scopely's roster of successful mobile games. This deal aims to expand Scopely's reach and create a larger global player community. The sale raises concerns about the future of Pokémon Go's location data as Scopely assumes control.
Meanwhile, Niantic Spatial will focus on developing a 3D world model using user-generated visual data. Niantic Spatial will receive a combined $250 million investment, with $200 million from Niantic and $50 million from Scopely.
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