Rumors previously circulated that Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon GO, was looking to sell its video game division to Scopely, a game developer under Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This sparked considerable discussion among players.
In a surprising turn, Niantic officially announced yesterday (March 12) the sale of three games and two apps, including Pokémon GO and Monster Hunter Now, to mobile game company Scopely for $3.5 billion. The company confirmed that the games will continue operations without interruption, ensuring no impact on player experience.
According to the official announcement, the games and apps involved in this transaction include:
✔ Pokémon GO
✔ Monster Hunter Now
✔ Pikmin Bloom
✔ Community platform app Campfire
✔ Map editing tool app Wayfarer
Furthermore, the development and operations teams for these titles will also transfer to Scopely, ensuring continuous service without interruption for users. Niantic also stated, "Scopely will provide stronger support for the future development of these games, ensuring their long-term stable operation and continued enjoyment for players."
Meanwhile, Niantic also announced it would spin off its AR (augmented reality) and location technology businesses into a new company, "Niantic Spatial Inc.," with Niantic founder John Hanke serving as CEO.
The new Niantic Spatial will retain ownership of Ingress and Peridot, with Scopely also becoming one of the new company's investors.
While fans might be concerned about the games' future development following this transaction, current information indicates that services will continue. It'll be interesting to see how things unfold.
Note: Financial figures and earnings forecasts should be confirmed through the company’s official announcements.
via： Niantic 官方網站