Following the recent acquisition of Pokémon Go developer Niantic by Scopely, the company behind Monopoly Go, fans have expressed a mix of apprehension and concern. From fears over increased advertisements to worries about personal data privacy, the community has been vocal. However, a recent interview with Michael Steranka, a product director at Pokémon Go, featured on Polygon, aims to alleviate these concerns.
In the interview, Steranka praises Scopely, highlighting a shared vision between the two companies. He confidently stated that intrusive ads would not be introduced into Pokémon Go under Scopely's ownership. Addressing data privacy concerns head-on, Steranka assured fans that Niantic would never share or sell player data to third parties. He concluded by emphasizing that the transition to working under Scopely would have minimal impact on Niantic's operations, if any at all.
If it ain't broke...While it's natural to anticipate some degree of corporate influence, I personally believe that Scopely will maintain a light touch on Pokémon Go's operations. The game remains highly successful, and the more significant business focus seems to be on Niantic's new AR development team.
Steranka also pointed out the close collaboration with The Pokémon Company in the decision-making process for Pokémon Go. This partnership implies that any actions not aligned with The Pokémon Company's values are unlikely to be implemented, both now and in the future.
If this reassurance boosts your confidence in returning to Pokémon Go, don't forget to check out our list of promo codes for some frequently updated free boosts we've gathered.