Niantic, renowned for its groundbreaking augmented reality game Pokémon Go, has announced a landmark agreement to sell its video game business to Scopely for $3.5 billion. The deal, revealed on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in the gaming landscape, particularly given Scopely’s ownership by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which aims to boost investments in leisure and digital entertainment sectors.
Launched in 2016, Pokémon Go captured the imagination of millions globally, transforming public spaces into playgrounds for players hunting virtual creatures. The game's enduring popularity is evidenced by its substantial revenue generation and a loyal community of over 20 million active players weekly, according to Scopely.
This acquisition aligns with the broader strategy of Saudi Arabia's PIF, which recently acquired Scopely for $4.9 billion. The fund's investments in the gaming sector are poised to reach $38 billion by 2030, as it seeks to diversify the nation’s economy away from oil revenue. Critics, however, have raised concerns, arguing that these investments may be a means to mitigate scrutiny surrounding Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Scopely, based in Culver City, California, plans to fully integrate Niantic’s gaming teams into its operations, continuing to nurture Pokémon Go while expanding its portfolio that already includes other popular titles like Monopoly Go. This acquisition serves as a signal of the evolving dynamics in the global gaming industry, where capital infusion is rapidly reshaping the competitive landscape.
