Scopely's acquisition of Niantic, a deal valued at $3.5 billion, brings some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under one roof. This includes the immensely popular Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now.
Pokémon GO, despite its longevity (nearly a decade!), continues to dominate the mobile gaming landscape. In 2024 alone, it boasted over 100 million unique players, maintaining its place in the top 10 mobile games every year since its 2016 launch.
Pikmin Bloom, a 2021 collaboration with Nintendo, also saw a significant surge in popularity in 2024. Players logged a staggering 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events across Japan, the U.S., and Germany drew thousands of enthusiastic participants.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's newest title, launched in September 2023 and quickly surpassed 15 million downloads. This acquisition also encompasses Niantic's development teams and companion apps, Campfire and Wayfarer.
Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer empowers players to map new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players used Campfire for in-person events, and Wayfarer added over 11.5 million new location points since its 2019 debut.
What Does This Mean for Players?
For players, the immediate impact is minimal. Scopely already boasts a strong portfolio, including MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force. The expectation is that Niantic's games will continue to thrive under Scopely's management.
Scopely has pledged increased resources for Niantic's development teams and hinted at exciting new AR experiences for existing games. The implementation of these changes remains to be seen.
Don't forget to check out Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors on the Google Play Store! And for more gaming news, read our article on KartRider Rush+'s Season 31, featuring the "Journey to the West" theme.
