Scopely, the Studio Behind Monopoly GO, Is Acquiring Pokémon GO Developer Niantic

Scopely has recently made headlines with its acquisition of Niantic, a move that brings some of the most renowned augmented reality games under its wing, valued at a hefty $3.5 billion. This acquisition includes major titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, expanding Scopely's already impressive portfolio which includes MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force.

Pokémon GO, a titan in the mobile gaming world since its launch in 2016, continues to dominate with over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone. Its consistent presence in the top 10 mobile games each year underscores its enduring appeal.

Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo in 2021, has also seen significant success. The game, which encourages players to plant virtual flowers as they walk, experienced a notable surge in popularity in 2024, with players logging an astonishing 3.94 trillion steps. Large-scale in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany further boosted its community engagement.

Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest venture launched in September 2023, has quickly amassed 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 helps in mapping new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players used Campfire to attend in-person events, and Wayfarer has added over 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 might be minimal. Scopely has pledged to bolster the development teams with additional resources and introduce new augmented reality (AR) interactions to Niantic's games. These enhancements promise to enrich the gaming experience, and it will be interesting to see how they unfold.

In the meantime, fans can look forward to events like Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available on the Google Play Store. Additionally, keep an eye out for updates on other exciting gaming news, such as KartRider Rush+'s launch of Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.