Pokémon Go and the rest of Niantic’s game business is being sold to Monopoly Go maker Scopely for $3.5 billion
This merger will see Scopely managing two of the world’s biggest mobile titles
Pokemon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and the rest of Niantic’s games business is being sold to Monopoly Go maker Scopely.
The acquisition will see long-time Niantic game studio leaders Kei Kawai and Ed Wu joining Scopely to continue to oversee the developer’s various projects. The deal is said to be valued at $ 3.5 billion.
Niantic, the developer that shot to fame due to the overwhelming success of Pokemon Go, now boasts over 30 million monthly active users, across Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, Pikmin Bloom and more.
“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,” said Tim O’Brien, chief revenue officer and board member of Scopely, to VentureBeat regarding the announcement.
“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. We look forward to further accelerating the team’s creativity through our partnership.
“The experience also stands apart for its unique ability to foster in-person connections, with the Pokémon Go live events attracting millions of attendees. After spending time with the Niantic team, it quickly became clear that this organization shares our inclination to create industry-leading outcomes and exceptional player experiences. We look forward to a bright future ahead.”
Further reading
The merger will see Scopely managing two of the world’s biggest mobile titles, Monopoly Go and Pokémon Go.
“It’s been an incredible joy to serve hundreds of millions of Trainers in our real-world community for the past 10 years, and I truly believe the best is yet to come,” said Ed Wu, SVP of Pokémon Go.
“Our mission remains clear: to inspire people to discover Pokémon in the real world together. With Scopely’s full commitment, experience, and resources, we’re going to make Pokémon Go the very best it can be — from incredible battles for thousands of Trainers at a time at our live events to new ways to connect to your friends and community. Most importantly, we’ll remain focused on the excitement and experience of discovering Pokémon in the real world.”
