Scopely Acquires Niantic, Developer of Pokémon GO

Scopely has recently announced its acquisition of Niantic, bringing some of the most popular names in augmented reality gaming under its wing. This massive $3.5 billion deal includes iconic titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, all now part of the Scopely family.

Pokémon GO remains a juggernaut in the mobile gaming world. Despite being nearly a decade old, it continues to attract a staggering number of players, with over 100 million unique users in 2024 alone. Since its launch in 2016, it has consistently ranked in the top 10 mobile games every year.

Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in 2021 in collaboration with Nintendo, will now be managed by Scopely. This game encourages players to plant virtual flowers as they walk, and it experienced a significant boost in popularity in 2024. Last year, players logged an impressive 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany drew thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest offering, has been a success since its September 2023 launch, already surpassing 15 million downloads. Along with the games, Niantic's development teams and companion apps such as Campfire and Wayfarer are also transitioning to Scopely. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, and in 2024, over six million players participated in in-person events through this app. Meanwhile, Wayfarer has contributed over 11.5 million new location points since its inception in 2019.

What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?

For players, the immediate impact of this acquisition is minimal. Scopely's existing portfolio, which includes popular games like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games will continue to thrive. Scopely has committed to bolstering the development teams and introducing new augmented reality experiences to enhance the Niantic titles. It will be fascinating to see how these enhancements unfold in the coming months.

On that note, be sure to check out Pokémon GO’s Festival of Colors on the Google Play Store.

Before leaving, take a moment to read our latest news on KartRider Rush+ launching Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.