Pokémon GO changes hands: Scopely buys Niantic’s gaming division for $3.5 billion
The sale of Pokémon GO to Scopely has left players uncertain about the game’s future.
After several rumors circulating since February, Niantic’s gaming division is changing hands. The folks responsible for Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now will become part of Scopely, a company owned by Saudi Arabian investment fund Savvy Games, in a transaction valued at $3.5 billion.
Confirmation of the purchase came via a post on Niantic’s blog, which read, “We have reached an agreement for Scopely, a world leader in mobile games, to acquire Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and the incredible teams working on these experiences, for $3.5 billion from Scopely, with an additional $350 million of cash from Niantic being distributed as part of the deal.”
What does this mean for the millions of people who play Pokémon GO?
This acquisition has caused concern among Pokémon GO fans, who fear that Scopely will make changes to the game, especially in its monetization. In response, Ed Wu, the game’s director, posted a message on the Pokémon GO blog to reassure players that the current development team will continue to work on the title: “The same people who have been guiding and building the game for years will continue doing what we love. We’re always continually adding to the game—Raid Battles, friends, GO Battle League, Routes, Dynamax/Gigantamax, and, of course, Pokémon GO Fest and our live events—which I look forward to continuing to do for many years to come.”
Wu also emphasized the importance of the new partnership: “Our new partnership, along with our decade-long partnership with The Pokémon Company, means we can maintain this long-term focus. Scopely fully believes in our mission and ongoing goal to create the best Pokémon GO experience possible.”
For now, as with any major acquisition-remember the soap opera that was Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard-regulatory approval is pending before the transaction is fully completed.
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