- Scopely acquires Niantic’s gaming division, including Pokémon GO, for $3.5 billion.
- The deal brings over 30 million monthly active users and annual revenues exceeding $1 billion into Scopely’s portfolio.
- Niantic to continue operating as an independent entity, focusing on geospatial AI under the new name “Niantic Spatial.”
Scopely Expands with Major Gaming Acquisition
Scopely, the mobile gaming company behind the hit game Monopoly GO, has reached an agreement to acquire Niantic’s gaming division for $3.5 billion. The deal includes Niantic’s top-performing games such as Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, as well as its supporting applications Campfire and Wayfarer.
Niantic’s gaming division boasts over 30 million monthly active users, generating more than $1 billion in revenue in 2024. With this acquisition, Scopely’s combined gaming portfolio will cater to over half a billion players globally, making it one of the largest gaming communities worldwide. The existing Niantic game development team, led by Kai Kawai and Ed Wu, will remain intact under Scopely’s leadership to drive continued innovation.
Pokémon GO’s Continued Success
One of the most notable titles in the acquisition, Pokémon GO, has remained a top 10 mobile game worldwide every year since its launch nearly a decade ago. The game attracted over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone, spanning 190 countries and regions.
- Players spend an average of 40 minutes per day in the game.
- Nearly 50% of players return daily for a full week.
- The Pokémon GO Fest 2024 sold 2 million tickets, with attendees collectively catching over 150 million Pokémon.
- Since launch, Pokémon GO players have walked a total of over 30 billion miles globally.
Other Acquired Games Show Strong Performance
Beyond Pokémon GO, Scopely gains access to other high-performing Niantic titles:
- Pikmin Bloom, developed in collaboration with Nintendo, experienced its highest active player count in 2024, with 3.94 trillion steps walked by users this year.
- Monster Hunter Now, Niantic’s latest game launched in September 2023, surpassed 15 million downloads in just seven months. The game has seen major success in Japan, where 20,000 players attended the first-ever in-person event in Shibuya.
Niantic’s Future as an Independent AI Company
Following this acquisition, Niantic will transition into a new standalone company, Niantic Spatial, led by Founder John Hanke. The company will focus on geospatial AI while continuing to own and operate its AR-based games Ingress Prime and Peridot.
Tim O’Brien, Chief Revenue Officer and Board Member at Scopely, commented:
“Scopely has always been dedicated to building meaningful communities through the shared love of gaming. Niantic’s game development team is among the best in the world, and we are incredibly inspired by what they have built over the past decade.”
John Hanke, Founder & CEO of Niantic, added:
“Niantic’s games have always been about bringing people together and inspiring exploration. I am confident they will continue to do so as part of Scopely, which shares our vision of creating and operating world-class live services.”
The deal remains subject to standard closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. If completed, the acquisition is expected to open new frontiers in augmented reality gaming and social interaction.
