In a significant development for the mobile gaming industry, Niantic has announced that Pokémon GO will transition to Scopely, a prominent game developer and publisher known for titles like Monopoly Go!. This move is part of a broader $3.5 billion deal in which Niantic is divesting several of its gaming assets, including Pokémon GO, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom, to focus on advancements in artificial intelligence.
Ed Wu, who leads the Pokémon GO team at Niantic, emphasized that the current development team will continue their work under Scopely’s ownership. He expressed confidence that this transition will allow the game to flourish into its second decade and beyond, maintaining its mission of encouraging real-world exploration and community engagement.
Scopely has expressed deep admiration for the Pokémon GO community and is committed to providing the necessary resources and creative freedom to the development team. This support aims to ensure the game’s ongoing innovation while preserving its core spirit and the vibrant communities that have formed around it.
This acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiative to become a global gaming hub. Scopely, being a Saudi-owned company, will see its total audience expand to over 500 million players with this deal. The kingdom’s investment in the gaming sector is part of a broader strategy to diversify its economy and foster local gaming industries, contributing to job creation and positioning itself as a leader in the global gaming market.
As Pokémon GO embarks on this new chapter with Scopely, players can anticipate continued support and development that honors the game’s original vision. The collaboration aims to enhance the player experience while maintaining the aspects that have made Pokémon GO a cultural phenomenon since its launch in 2016.
