Niantic has officially announced that it will sell its game business to Scopely for $3.5 billion USD, describing this move as “Niantic’s next chapter.” This sale includes the location-based mobile games Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.
Back in February, it was reported that Niantic was in negotiations to sell its games business to Scopely, and now this intention has been confirmed by both companies. Known for mobile titles like Monopoly Go!, Scopely is an American developer that was acquired by the Saudi Arabia-based Savvy Games Group in 2023.
Although Pokémon Go was a massive global hit for Niantic, the small company has struggled to replicate its success- despite developing other location-based titles using established IPs like Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now. In recent years, it has made layoffs, closed down its LA Studio and cancelled NBA All-World and Marvel: World of Heroes to make Pokémon Go its top priority.
The sale of Niantic’s games business to Scopely has been approved by the board of directors at both companies, and is expected to be concluded within 2025. In their press release, Scopely confirmed that post-buyout, Niantic’s teams would continue to work on their games and apps under the direction of Niantic’s long-time game studio leaders. Niantic CEO and founder John Hanke is quoted as saying, “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.”
