Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, is reportedly negotiating a potential $3.5 billion sale of its video game division to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company. This information, initially reported by Bloomberg, suggests the sale would encompass Pokémon Go, the immensely popular augmented reality mobile game.
According to an anonymous source cited by Bloomberg, while the deal isn't finalized, a confirmation could arrive within weeks if approved.
Niantic, Scopely, and Savvy Games Group (Scopely's parent company) have declined to comment publicly on these acquisition rumors.
It's worth noting that Savvy Games Group acquired Scopely in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, following a Saudi Arabian government announcement of its intention to acquire a leading games publisher. Scopely's portfolio includes popular mobile games such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.
Further demonstrating its ambition in the gaming sector, Savvy Gaming Group also purchased ESL and FACEIT, two major esports organizations, for a combined $1.5 billion in 2022.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated at the time that Savvy Games Group is a key component of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global leader in gaming and esports by 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and foster innovation.
