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

In a significant move, Niantic Inc. has announced the sale of its games division—including Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, along with their respective development teams—to Scopely, a gaming company owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group. The deal, valued at $3.5 billion plus an additional $350 million in cash, totals approximately $3.85 billion for Niantic equity holders.

Scopely highlights the acquired business's impressive performance: over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs), over 20 million weekly active users, and over $1 billion in revenue in 2024. Pokémon Go, a consistent top 10 mobile game since its launch, boasts over 100 million unique players in 2024.

Niantic assures players that its game teams will continue to develop existing roadmaps under Scopely's ownership, emphasizing the long-term vision for its games. The company states that players can expect continued investment and support, maintained by the original development teams.

Pokémon Go chief Ed Wu further addressed player concerns in a separate blog post. Wu, a key figure in the game's development since its 2016 launch, expressed confidence in Scopely's commitment to the game's long-term success and its community. He highlighted Scopely's admiration for the Pokémon Go community and team, emphasizing the continued development of features like Raid Battles, Go Battle League, and live events. Wu reassured players that the core team remains intact and that Scopely's approach allows for independent game development and creative freedom.

Wu also emphasized the ongoing partnership with The Pokémon Company, highlighting their shared vision and commitment to the game's future. He acknowledged that Pokémon Go will continue to evolve, but the core creative process and commitment to the community will remain unchanged. He expressed gratitude for the game's success and his belief in its continued growth under Scopely's ownership.

In a related announcement, Niantic is establishing Niantic Spatial Inc., a new company focused on its geospatial AI business. Scopely is a significant investor in this new venture, alongside a $200 million investment from Niantic itself. Niantic Spatial will retain ownership and operation of Ingress Prime and Peridot.