Scopely to Acquire Niantic's Gaming Business, Including "Pokémon GO," One of the Most Successful Mobile Games of All Time

Scopely to Acquire Niantic's Gaming Business, Including "Pokémon GO," One of the Most Successful Mobile Games of All Time

Scopely, the leading mobile games company in the U.S., has announced that it will acquire Niantic’s gaming business in a deal valued at $3.5 billion. This acquisition will bring Niantic's entire development teams and renowned games such as Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now to Scopely's growing portfolio. Additionally, Niantic's companion apps like Campfire and Wayfarer will also join Scopely's offerings, emphasizing the company's dedication to social, community-driven gaming experiences.

In 2024, Niantic's games attracted over 30 million monthly active players (MAUs) and generated more than $1 billion in revenue. Pokémon GO, one of the most iconic mobile games of all time, continues to be a global sensation, consistently ranking in the top 10 mobile games since its 2016 launch. In 2024, the game had over 100 million unique players.

The combined portfolio will create one of the largest global player communities, with more than half a billion players in 2024 alone.

Scopely, known for its social and engaging gaming experiences, is home to popular titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek™ Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force. With this acquisition, Scopely reaffirms its commitment to investing in beloved games and communities that have enduring appeal worldwide.

Tim O’Brien, Chief Revenue Officer and Board Member at Scopely, said, “Scopely has always focused on fostering meaningful communities through shared love of play, and Niantic’s team is one of the best in the world at this. We are excited to accelerate the creativity of the Niantic team through our partnership.”

The acquisition includes Niantic’s top games and services:

• Pokémon GO: With over 20 million weekly active players, this game has remained in the top 10 mobile titles every year since its release. It has an engaged global fan base, with players spending an average of 40 minutes per day. Live events like Pokémon GO Fest have brought millions together, with 2 million tickets sold in 2024 alone.

• Pikmin Bloom: Developed with Nintendo, this game encourages players to plant flowers across the world. The game saw its highest player count in 2024, with players collectively taking 3.94 trillion steps and attending community events across Japan, the U.S., Germany, and Taiwan.

• Monster Hunter Now: Launched in September 2023, this game has quickly become a hit, especially in Japan, reaching 15 million downloads in just seven months. Its in-person events have drawn large crowds, with over 20,000 attending its first Monster Hunter Now Carnival in Japan.

• Campfire and Wayfarer: These social companion apps enhance engagement across Niantic's games. Campfire connects local player communities for real-world gameplay, while Wayfarer allows players to contribute new locations to the games. In 2024, 6 million people attended in-person events through Campfire, and Wayfarer added over 11.5 million new locations.

John Hanke, Niantic’s founder and CEO, commented, “Scopely shares our focus on exceptional live services, working with beloved IPs, and deeply caring about player communities. This partnership is great for our players and ensures long-term support for our games, making them 'forever games.'"

As part of the deal, Niantic will spin off its technology platform into a new entity, Niantic Spatial Inc., a geospatial AI company. This new company, led by Hanke, will continue to operate augmented reality games like Ingress Prime and Peridot.

Following the acquisition, the Niantic game development teams, led by Kei Kawai and Ed Wu, will join Scopely's workforce, contributing to the continued development of these popular games.

Ed Wu, Senior Vice President of Pokémon GO, added, “We are excited to take Pokémon GO to new heights with Scopely's resources and support, ensuring its success for years to come and continuing to bring players together in the real world.”

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is advising Niantic on the deal, while J.P. Morgan is advising Scopely. Legal counsel for Niantic is Fenwick & West LLP, and for Scopely, it is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

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