Scopely's acquisition of Niantic for a staggering $3.5 billion marks a significant shift in the augmented reality gaming landscape. This deal brings some of the most beloved AR games, including Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, under the Scopely umbrella.
Pokémon GO continues to be a powerhouse, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024, a testament to its enduring popularity since its launch in 2016. It has consistently ranked among the top 10 mobile games year after year.
Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo in 2021, has also seen remarkable growth. In 2024, players logged an impressive 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany attracted thousands of enthusiasts.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's latest offering since its September 2023 launch, has quickly amassed over 15 million downloads. Alongside these games, Niantic's development teams and companion apps like Campfire and Wayfarer will transition to Scopely. Campfire has facilitated more than six million player check-ins at in-person events in 2024, while 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 transition should be seamless. Scopely's portfolio, which includes popular titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games are in good hands. Scopely has committed to enhancing the development teams' resources and introducing new AR experiences to Niantic's games. It will be interesting to see how these enhancements unfold.
On that note, don't miss out on Pokémon GO’s Festival of Colors, available now on the Google Play Store.
Before you go, take a moment to read our latest news on KartRider Rush+ Launches Season 31 Featuring Journey to the West.
