Scopely Acquires Niantic, Developer of Pokémon GO

Scopely has recently announced a monumental acquisition of Niantic, bringing some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under its umbrella. This business deal, valued at $3.5 billion, includes popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. Pokémon GO, despite being nearly a decade old, continues to attract a massive audience, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 mobile games every year since its launch in 2016.

Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo in 2021, will now be managed by Scopely. The game, which encourages players to plant virtual flowers while walking, experienced a significant surge in popularity in 2024. Last year, players logged an impressive 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany drew thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest addition since its launch in September 2023, has already surpassed 15 million downloads. Alongside the games, Niantic's development teams and companion apps such as Campfire and Wayfarer are also transitioning to Scopely. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer enables players to map new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players attended in-person events through Campfire, and Wayfarer has contributed more than 11.5 million new location points since its inception in 2019.

What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?

For players, the immediate impact of the acquisition might not be significant. Scopely's existing portfolio, which includes successful titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games will continue to thrive. Scopely has committed to providing additional resources to the development team and introducing new experiences, such as enhanced AR interactions, to Niantic's games. It will be exciting to see how these enhancements are rolled out in the near future.

On a related note, don't miss out on Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available on the Google Play Store. And before you go, take a moment to read our latest news on KartRider Rush+ launching Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.