Scopely has recently announced its acquisition of Niantic, bringing some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under its umbrella. This business deal, valued at $3.5 billion, includes popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. Pokémon GO, despite being nearly a decade old, continues to attract massive numbers, with over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone. It has consistently ranked in the top 10 mobile games every year since its launch in 2016.
Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in partnership 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 attracted thousands of fans.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's most recent game, launched in September 2023 and 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 player connections for real-world gameplay, while Wayfarer enables mapping new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players attended in-person events through Campfire, and Wayfarer has contributed more than 11.5 million new location points since its launch in 2019.
What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?
For players, the immediate impact of the acquisition might not be significant. Scopely's existing portfolio, which includes games 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 more resources to the development team and introducing new experiences, such as enhanced AR interactions, to Niantic's games. It will be exciting to see how these enhancements are implemented 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. And before you go, take a look at our news on KartRider Rush+ launching Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.
