Scopely Inc., backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is set to acquire the gaming division of Niantic Inc. for $3.5 billion. This deal includes some of Niantic’s most popular titles, such as Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter, along with companion apps Campfire and Wayfarer.

Pokémon GO, a global sensation since its launch nearly a decade ago, remains one of the top 10 mobile games annually. In 2024 alone, it recorded over 100 million unique players. With this acquisition, Scopely aims to further expand its gaming portfolio, creating what it describes as “one of the largest global player communities in the world, with over half a billion players in 2024 alone.”

Tim O’Brien, Chief Revenue Officer and Board Member of Scopely, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, “Scopely has always been focused on cultivating meaningful communities through a shared love of play, and the Niantic games organization is one of the best in the world at this endeavor.”

He further praised Niantic’s contributions, adding, “We are extremely inspired by what the team has built over the last decade, delivering innovative experiences that captivate a vast, enduring global audience and get people out in the real world.”

Niantic’s journey and struggles

Niantic, founded by John Hanke, initially gained prominence through its work in satellite mapping and later led Google’s Geo product division before venturing into augmented reality (AR) gaming. Over the years, Niantic’s gaming division has generated over $1 billion in revenue, with 30 million monthly active users in 2024.

Hanke expressed confidence in the transition, stating, “Niantic games have always been a bridge to connect people and inspire exploration, and I am confident they will continue to do both as part of Scopely.”

He highlighted Scopely’s expertise in managing live gaming services and working with major intellectual properties.

“Scopely shares our focus on building and operating incredible live services, has exceptional experience working with the world's biggest and most beloved intellectual properties, and cares deeply about its player communities and game-making teams,” he added.

Acknowledging the challenges Niantic faced in recent years, Hanke noted, “This partnership is great for our players and is the best way to ensure that our games have the long-term support and investment needed to be ‘forever games’ that will endure for future generations.”

What other games does Scopely own?

With the addition of Niantic’s titles, Scopely strengthens its position in the mobile gaming market. The company already owns several successful games, including Monopoly Go!, Stumble Guys, Yahtzee with Buddies, Star Trek Fleet Command, Marvel’s Strike Force, WWE Champions, Scrabble Go, Tiki Solitaire Tri Peaks, Bingo Bash, GSN Casino, Looney Tunes World of Mayhem, and Dice with Buddies.

Saudi Arabia’s growing gaming investments

The acquisition comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is emerging as a major gaming hub. The country has committed to investing nearly $38 billion into gaming initiatives through its Savvy Games Group and is home to the Esports World Cup. This deal aligns with Saudi’s strategic expansion in the gaming industry.

A Major move for Scopely

Founded in 2011, Scopely is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and was established by Walter Driver, Ankur Bulsara, Eric Futoran, and Eytan Elbaz. The company has consistently expanded its gaming empire, and this latest acquisition marks another milestone in its journey toward becoming a global gaming powerhouse.