Pokémon Go Dev Moves to Reassure Players After $3.5 Billion Sale to Monopoly Go! Company Is Confirmed

Niantic Inc. has sold its Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now franchises, along with their development teams, to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company, for $3.5 billion. An additional $350 million in cash will be distributed to Niantic equity holders, bringing the total deal value to approximately $3.85 billion.

Scopely, a subsidiary of the Saudi investment company Savvy Games, announced that Niantic's games business boasts over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs), over 20 million weekly active users, and generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024. Pokémon Go, a consistent top 10 mobile game since its launch, achieved over 100 million unique players in 2024.

Niantic stated its game teams will continue building upon their existing long-term plans under Scopely's ownership, ensuring the games' longevity. The company affirmed that players can expect continued investment and support from Scopely, maintaining the same teams responsible for creating the games' experiences.

Pokémon Go's chief, Ed Wu, addressed player concerns regarding the sale. He emphasized Scopely's admiration for the community and team, expressing confidence that Pokémon Go will thrive under Scopely's ownership, continuing its growth beyond its second decade. He highlighted Scopely's commitment to supporting the existing team and resources, ensuring the continuation of beloved gameplay features like Raid Battles, Go Battle League, and live events. Wu also stressed Scopely's autonomous approach to game development, allowing teams to pursue their own roadmaps while prioritizing player experience. He further reinforced the continued partnership with The Pokémon Company and the commitment to the game's long-term vision and real-world community engagement.

Niantic is simultaneously launching Niantic Spatial Inc., a new company focused on its geospatial AI business, with Scopely investing $50 million and Niantic contributing $200 million. Niantic Spatial will retain ownership and operation of Ingress Prime and Peridot.