Pokémon Go Dev Reassures Players Post $3.5B Sale to Monopoly Go! Company

Niantic Inc. has officially announced the sale of its gaming division, including popular titles such as Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, along with their development teams, to Scopely—a company owned by the Saudi investment firm Savvy Games—for a staggering $3.5 billion. As part of the transaction, Niantic is also distributing an additional $350 million in cash to its equity holders, bringing the total value to approximately $3.85 billion.

In a statement to the press, Scopely highlighted the robust performance of Niantic's games, noting that they boast over 30 million monthly active users (MAUs) and more than 20 million weekly active players. The portfolio generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. Pokémon Go, in particular, remains a standout success, consistently ranking among the top 10 mobile games since its launch nearly a decade ago, with over 100 million unique players in 2024.

Niantic expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing that the game teams have "exciting long-term roadmaps" that will continue to be developed under Scopely's umbrella. "This partnership ensures that our games have the long term support needed to be 'forever games' that will endure for future generations," Niantic stated in a blog post. They reassured players that the games, apps, services, and events they enjoy will continue to receive investment and be managed by the same dedicated teams.

Addressing player concerns directly, Pokémon Go's chief, Ed Wu, shared his perspective on the acquisition. Wu, who has been integral to the game since its inception and massive launch in 2016, underscored Scopely's appreciation for the Pokémon Go community and team. "I have every belief Pokémon GO will further flourish as part of Scopely, not only into its second decade, but for many more years to come, under the mission of discovering Pokémon in the real world and inspiring people to explore together," he stated.

Wu emphasized the continuity of the Pokémon Go team and their ongoing commitment to enhancing the game with features like Raid Battles, Go Battle League, Routes, and live events like Pokémon Go Fest. He noted that Scopely empowers its game teams to pursue their inspired roadmaps, fostering an environment conducive to creative growth and player satisfaction.

Wu also highlighted the continued partnership with The Pokémon Company, which has been pivotal in shaping Pokémon Go from the very first Poké Ball throw. He reassured players that while the game will continue to evolve, the approach to its development will remain consistent, aiming to enhance the experience for all players.

Separately, Niantic announced the spin-off of its geospatial AI business into a new entity, Niantic Spatial Inc., to accelerate its growth. Scopely has invested $50 million in this venture, with Niantic contributing $200 million. Niantic Spatial will continue to manage other real-world AR games, Ingress Prime and Peridot.