It's been over eight years since the launch of Pokémon GO, and the game continues to captivate players worldwide who enjoy catching Pokémon, battling in Gyms, and exploring their surroundings.
According to a report by U.S. media outlet Bloomberg, Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon GO, is reportedly looking to sell its video game division to Scopely, a game developer owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The deal is said to be valued at $3.5 billion (approximately 530 billion JPY) and is expected to be finalized and announced within weeks.
While Niantic achieved massive success with Pokémon GO, it has struggled to replicate that triumph with subsequent titles. In recent years, the company has scaled back operations, canceling several games in development in both 2022 and 2023. Its most notable recent success has been "Monster Hunter Now," indicating ongoing challenges in its business operations.
Neither Niantic nor Scopely has officially commented on the report. It's worth noting that Scopely is a subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, PIF. This potential acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia's aggressive strategy of investing heavily in the global gaming industry. As the deal is not yet confirmed, further developments are anticipated.
▼ In Japan, "ゲーム事業売却" (game business sale) has been trending on X (formerly Twitter).
▼ Many Japanese media outlets have also followed up on the news.
Note: Financial figures and earnings forecasts should be confirmed through the company’s official announcements.
via： bloomberg japan