Scopely has recently announced its acquisition of Niantic, a major player in the augmented reality gaming industry, for a staggering $3.5 billion. This deal brings some of the most popular AR games under Scopely's umbrella, including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.
Pokémon GO, which has been a phenomenon since its launch in 2016, continues to attract a massive audience. In 2024 alone, the game boasted over 100 million unique players and has consistently ranked in the top 10 mobile games every year since its debut.
Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo in 2021, will now be managed by Scopely. This game encourages players to plant virtual flowers as they walk, and it experienced a significant surge in popularity in 2024. Last year, players logged an impressive 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany drew thousands of enthusiasts.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest offering since its launch in September 2023, has already surpassed 15 million downloads. Alongside the games, Niantic's development teams and companion apps like Campfire and Wayfarer are also transitioning to Scopely. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer enables players to map new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players attended in-person events through Campfire, and Wayfarer has added more than 11.5 million new location points since its inception in 2019.
What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?
For players, the immediate impact of this acquisition is minimal. Scopely's existing portfolio, which includes successful titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games will continue to thrive. Scopely has committed to providing additional resources to the development team and introducing new AR experiences to enhance Niantic's games. It will be interesting to see how these enhancements unfold in the near future.
On a related note, don't miss out on Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available on the Google Play Store.
Before you go, be sure to check out our coverage of KartRider Rush+ launching Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.
