Scopely Acquires Niantic’s Games Business for $3.5 Billion

Scopely, the number mobile games company in the US and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) Savvy Games Group, said that it has signed an agreement to acquire US software developer Niantic’s games business for $3.5 billion.

The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, will bring Niantic’s entire team of exceptional game makers and category-leading games “Pokémon GO,” “Pikmin Bloom,” and “Monster Hunter Now” to Scopely’s portfolio, among other apps and live experiences. At Scopely, the Niantic game teams will continue to pursue their ambitious roadmaps, led by their long-time game studio leaders Kei Kawai and Ed Wu.

As one of the largest, fastest-growing companies in mobile games, Scopely is renowned for its highly social experiences that bring people together and make life better through play.

The company’s always-evolving “digital playgrounds,” from “MONOPOLY GO!” to “Stumble Guys,” “Star TrekTM Fleet Command,” “MARVEL Strike Force,” and more, remain part of players’ lives for years on end. This acquisition signals Scopely’s ongoing commitment to and passion for play by further investing in beloved games with deeply engaged communities that span the world.

Cultivating Communities

Scopely’s Chief Revenue Officer and Board Member Tim O’Brien said that Scopely has always been focused on cultivating meaningful communities through a shared love of play, and the Niantic games organisation is one of the best in the world at this endeavour.

“We are 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. We look forward to further accelerating the team’s creativity through our partnership,” he said.

“Few games in the world have delivered the scale and longevity of ‘Pokémon GO’, which reached over 100 million players just last year. The experience also stands apart for its unique ability to foster in-person connections, with Pokémon GO live events attracting millions of attendees. After spending time with the Niantic team, it quickly became clear that this organisation shares our inclination to create industry-leading outcomes and exceptional player experiences. We look forward to a bright future ahead,” he added.

Scopely’s New Portfolio         

The games, apps, and live experiences joining the Scopely portfolio include “Pokémon GO,” with over 20 million weekly active players, and the game has remained a top 10 mobile title every year since its launch in 2016. “Pokémon GO” players, also known as Trainers, have explored more than 30 billion miles together.

In collaboration with Nintendo, Niantic unveiled “Pikmin Bloom” in 2021 to help players cover the world in flowers. Like the blooms planted by its players, the title continues to blossom, closing out 2024 with a record-breaking year. The game hit its highest active player count more than three years after launch.

“Monster Hunter Now” is Niantic’s most recent game, has taken players by storm, particularly in Japan. After launching in September 2023, the game reached 15 million+ downloads in just seven months.

“Campfire” and “Wayfarer” are the social companion apps and services drive deep engagement across Niantic games.  These apps represent Niantic’s innovative approach to location-based games and highlight the team’s drive to continue elevating the player experience.

“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,” said John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic.