Scopely acquires Pokémon Go developer Niantic’s recreation catalog

A few weeks in the past, it was only a hearsay, however now it has been formally confirmed—Niantic’s recreation catalog, which incorporates Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom, has been acquired by Scopely, a subsidiary of Savvy Video games Group, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund.

All the Niantic teaming engaged on the video games might be staying on with Scopely, “The identical individuals who have been guiding and constructing the sport for years will proceed doing what we love.” says Ed Wu the chief on Pokémon Go in a weblog submit.

I’ve each perception Pokémon GO will additional flourish as a part of Scopely, not solely into its second decade, however for a lot of extra years to return, below the mission of discovering Pokémon in the true world and provoking folks to discover collectively. Our new partnership, together with our decade lengthy partnership with The Pokémon Firm, means we are able to keep this long-term focus. Scopely totally believes in our mission and ongoing aim to create the perfect Pokémon GO expertise attainable.

Whereas the acquisition has simply been finalised, it’ll probably be a while earlier than we see important adjustments to Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and different titles. Scopely is thought for Monopoly Go, which generates an ungodly quantity of income, in addition to Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, Marvel Strike Drive, and others. These video games are way more aggressive with in-app purchases and monetisation than even Pokémon Go already is.

Scopely in a weblog submit says:

Immediately we shared publicly that we signed an settlement to accumulate the video games enterprise of Niantic, Inc, which incorporates its workforce, video games, apps and providers, together with “Pokémon GO,” “Pikmin Bloom,” and “Monster Hunter Now.”

We now have lengthy admired the modern gameplay pioneered by the Niantic video games workforce and the vibrant communities which have formed the titles into the beloved experiences they’re in the present day. We deeply respect what makes these video games particular – the liberty to discover, the group solid alongside the best way, and the fun of discovery. 

The Pokémon GO group has at all times had a love-hate relationship with Niantic. Within the early days, enjoying Pokémon GO was most likely the closest the world had come to world peace. Nevertheless, since then, Niantic has made quite a few adjustments to form the sport in response to their very own imaginative and prescient—usually on the expense of rural gamers and gamers with disabilities. They’ve rolled again COVID-era gameplay adjustments, restricted distant raids, and pushed an increasing number of paid occasions.

Gamers in Australia and New Zealand have additionally skilled extra damaged occasions than anybody else. Whereas the sport has been enjoyable and helped convey Pokémon again into the mainstream, it’s important to marvel if Niantic ever really understood that it was Pokémon itself—not simply the sport—that made it so profitable.

Will Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and others flourish below this new management?