In a landmark acquisition, Saudi Arabia-owned mobile gaming company Scopely has officially agreed to purchase Niantic’s video game division for a staggering $3.5 billion. The deal includes not only Pokémon Go, the popular augmented reality game, but also other Niantic titles such as Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom.
This acquisition ranks as the eighth-largest gaming buyout in history and marks another major investment by Saudi Arabia in the global gaming industry.
Scopely Promises to Elevate Pokémon Go
Following the announcement, Niantic studio head Ed Wu shared the company’s vision for the future of Pokémon Go under Scopely’s ownership.
"With Scopely’s commitment, expertise, and resources, we’re dedicated to making Pokémon Go better than ever. We envision epic real-world battles for thousands of Trainers, new social features to strengthen community connections, and an even more immersive Pokémon discovery experience."
Wu also emphasized the importance of community engagement, highlighting that Niantic has empowered thousands of leaders and ambassadors worldwide. According to Wu, Scopely is fully aligned with this vision and intends to continue investing in these community-driven initiatives.
Niantic has sold its game business to Scopely, meaning Pokemon GO now falls under Scopely's control. The development team will remain the same-now apart of Scopely-and their partnership with The Pokemon Company continues. https://t.co/A0Q3EP954T pic.twitter.com/JmFjVfrMzM
— PLDH (@PLDHnet) March 12, 2025
What Happens to Niantic and Pokémon Go’s Future?
As part of the deal, Scopely has assured that the entire Pokémon Go development team will be retained, ensuring continuity for the game’s future updates and events. The acquisition is still subject to regulatory approvals, but once finalized, it will also include Pokémon Go’s companion applications, such as Campfire and Wayfarer.
Pokémon Go, which launched in 2016, quickly became a worldwide phenomenon, but the game faced challenges in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns significantly impacted the game’s engagement levels, leading to layoffs and canceled projects at Niantic. Now, under new ownership, the game is poised for a potential revival with enhanced support and funding from Scopely.
Niantic’s New Direction: Geospatial AI
With the sale of its gaming division, Niantic is pivoting toward a new business venture. The company will rebrand as Niantic Spatial, a geospatial AI company led by founder and CEO John Hanke. According to reports from Variety, Niantic Spatial will focus on developing next-generation mapping technology, enabling digital devices to interact with the real world in innovative ways.
This acquisition is just one of many high-profile investments made by Saudi Arabia in the gaming industry. The nation’s Public Investment Fund has also acquired stakes in Nintendo, EA, and Activision Blizzard, solidifying its growing influence in the gaming sector. Furthermore, their esports org Falcons also strives to sign the best players of any game.
With Niantic shifting away from game development and Pokémon Go moving to Scopely’s leadership, the gaming industry is watching closely to see what this deal means for the future of augmented reality gaming.