Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon GO, has sold its gaming division, including titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, to Scopely, a company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), for $3.5 billion.
This acquisition aims to provide long-term support and investment for these games. The deal is pending regulatory approval and, once finalized, will see Scopely managing these titles while Niantic focuses on its geospatial artificial intelligence platform, Niantic Spatial, which will retain games like Ingress and Peridot.
Since its launch in 2016, Pokémon GO has become a global phenomenon, utilizing augmented reality and location-based technology to allow players to capture virtual Pokémon in real-world settings. The game has been downloaded over a billion times and has significantly influenced mobile gaming and AR technology adoption.
In related news, 17-year-old Leo Marín Torres from Alhaurín de la Torre, Spain, recently won the European Championship in Pokémon GO. The tournament took place in London and featured a competitive field. Leo, known as P4T0M4N in the community, used a team comprising Walrein, Mandibuzz, Azumarill, Drapion, Marowak, and Galarian Corsola to secure his victory.