Scopely Acquires Niantic Games in $3.5 Billion Deal

Scopely Acquires Niantic Games for $3.5 Billion

In a significant move within the gaming industry, Bloomberg recently disclosed that Niantic has completed the sale of its games division to Scopely for a staggering $3.5 billion. In addition to the acquisition price, Niantic is contributing an extra $350 million to benefit stakeholders, underscoring the value and impact of this transition.

Expansion of Scopely’s Portfolio

Scopely, a prominent mobile publisher based in California, is now the second-largest by revenue in 2024, trailing only behind industry giant Tencent. This acquisition brings with it renowned titles such as Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, as well as companion apps like Campfire and Wayfarer. Notably, Pokémon GO retains its status as a powerhouse in mobile gaming, engaging over 100 million unique players last year alone. With this merger, Scopely boasts a gaming portfolio that collectively reaches over half a billion users, solidifying its position as one of the largest gaming communities in the world.

Statements from Leadership

Tim O’Brien, Chief Revenue Officer and Board Member of Scopely, expressed the company’s excitement regarding this acquisition. He stated:

Scopely has always been focused on cultivating meaningful communities through a shared love of play, and the Niantic games organization is one of the best in the world at this endeavor. We are extremely inspired by what the team has built over the last decade, delivering innovative experiences that captivate a vast, enduring global audience and get people out in the real world. We look forward to further accelerating the team’s creativity through our partnership. Few games in the world have delivered the scale and longevity of ‘Pokémon GO’, which reached over 100 million players just last year. The experience also stands apart for its unique ability to foster in-person connections, with Pokémon GO live events attracting millions of attendees. After spending time with the Niantic team, it quickly became clear that this organization shares our inclination to create industry-leading outcomes and exceptional player experiences. We look forward to a bright future ahead.

John Hanke, the founder and CEO of Niantic, also weighed in, emphasizing the synergies between both companies:

Niantic games have always been a bridge to connect people and inspire exploration, and I am confident they will continue to do both as part of Scopely. Scopely shares our focus on building and operating incredible live services, has exceptional experience working with the world’s biggest and most beloved intellectual properties, and cares deeply about its player communities and game-making teams. I firmly believe this partnership is great for our players and is the best way to ensure that our games have the long-term support and investment needed to be ‘forever games’ that will endure for future generations.

Niantic’s New Directions

In tandem with this acquisition, Niantic is establishing a separate entity named Niantic Spatial, designed to focus on geospatial AI technology and next-generation mapping solutions. This new venture will continue to support existing titles like Ingress Prime and Peridot.

Future of Pokémon GO

Senior Vice President, Ed Wu, also shared his enthusiasm for the future of Pokémon GO, highlighting ongoing commitment to player engagement:

It’s been an incredible joy to serve hundreds of millions of Trainers in our real-world community for the past 10 years, and I truly believe the best is yet to come. Our mission remains clear: to inspire people to discover Pokémon in the real world together. With Scopely’s full commitment, experience, and resources, we’re going to make Pokémon GO the very best it can be – from incredible battles for thousands of Trainers at a time at our live events to new ways to connect to your friends and community. Most importantly, we’ll remain focused on the excitement and experience of discovering Pokémon in the real world.

For more information regarding the transition, players can refer to a dedicated letter published on the Pokémon GO website, which outlines the future roadmap of the game.

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