Scopely Acquires Niantic, Developer of Pokémon GO

Scopely has recently announced its acquisition of Niantic, a major player in the augmented reality gaming industry, in a deal valued at $3.5 billion. This acquisition brings some of the most popular AR games under the Scopely umbrella, including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.

Pokémon GO remains a juggernaut in the gaming world, even after nearly a decade since its launch in 2016. In 2024, the game boasted over 100 million unique players, consistently ranking in the top 10 mobile games annually.

Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo in 2021, encourages players to plant virtual flowers as they walk. The game experienced a significant surge in popularity in 2024, with players logging an impressive 3.94 trillion steps. In-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany attracted thousands of fans.

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

What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?

For players, the immediate impact of the acquisition is minimal. Scopely's portfolio already includes successful titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, indicating a strong foundation for continued success with Niantic's games.

Scopely has committed to enhancing the development teams with additional resources and introducing new AR experiences to Niantic's games. This promises exciting future updates and enhancements for players to look forward to.

For more on what's happening in the world of gaming, don't miss out on Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available on the Google Play Store. Also, be sure to read our latest news on KartRider Rush+ Season 31, featuring Journey to the West, before you go.