Scopely Acquires Niantic's Gaming Division, Including Pokémon Go, for $3.5 Billion

The acquisition raises concerns among Pokémon Go players over potential changes to monetization and community events.

Scopely, known for games like Marvel Strike Force and Monopoly Go, has purchased Niantic's gaming division for $3.5 billion, including Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.
Niantic's entire game development team, including leaders Kei Kawai and Ed Wu, will join Scopely, with plans to continue their current projects under the new ownership.
Fans of Pokémon Go express concerns over Scopely's reputation for heavy monetization, fearing increased paywalls and in-game ads may impact the game's accessibility and community-driven nature.
The future of in-person events, such as Pokémon Go Fest, remains uncertain, though the 2025 event has already been planned and announced prior to the acquisition.
Niantic will spin off its technology platform into a new company, Niantic Spatial Inc., focusing on geospatial AI and continuing to operate AR games like Ingress Prime and Peridot.