Scopely Acquires Niantic, Pokémon GO Maker

Scopely's acquisition of Niantic, a deal valued at $3.5 billion, unites some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under one roof. This means popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now are now part of the Scopely family.

Pokémon GO, despite its longevity (nearly a decade!), continues to attract massive player bases, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone and consistently ranking among the top 10 mobile games since its 2016 launch.

Pikmin Bloom, a 2021 collaboration with Nintendo, also falls under Scopely's wing. This game, which encourages players to plant virtual flowers during walks, experienced a significant surge in popularity in 2024, with players logging a staggering 3.94 trillion steps and thousands participating in in-person events across Japan, the U.S., and Germany.

Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's newest addition, has already surpassed 15 million downloads since its September 2023 launch. The acquisition also includes Niantic's development teams and companion apps, Campfire and Wayfarer. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer allows players to map new locations for Niantic games, contributing over 11.5 million new points since its 2019 launch. In 2024 alone, over six million players utilized Campfire for in-person event check-ins.

What Does This Mean for Players?

For players, the immediate impact is minimal. Scopely boasts an impressive portfolio, including MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggesting a continued strong future for Niantic's games. Scopely has pledged increased resources for Niantic's development teams and hinted at the integration of new AR experiences into existing titles. The implementation timeline for these changes remains to be seen.

Don't forget to check out Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors on the Google Play Store! And be sure to read our latest news on KartRider Rush+'s Season 31, featuring a "Journey to the West" theme.