Scopely has acquired Niantic's game business, which includes popular titles such as Pokémon GO, in a deal worth US $3.5 billion.
In 2016, a little mobile game you may or may not have heard of called Pokémon GO was released globally. Combining state-of-the-art augmented reality (AR) technology and the expansive Pokémon universe, the app sought to create an experience that allowed players to both catch Pokémon and socialize with others in the real world.
Today, the game is one of the most popular mobile games in the entire world. Pokémon GO has an active player base, with over 100 million users playing each month, according to Dexerto, and regular updates that keep the game fresh. It's safe to say that it's an extremely successful live-service game.
It's this reason and more that left many players surprised when it was announced that Pokémon GO (and other Niantic titles such as Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now) will be moving from the hands of Niantic to Scopely as part of a multi-billion dollar deal. The US-based developers are responsible for titles such as Monopoly Go and Stumble Guys.
Today we're announcing changes at Niantic that will set us on a bold new course. We have reached an agreement for Scopely to acquire Pokemon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and the incredible teams working on these experiences. And we're spinning off our pioneering...
— Niantic (@NianticLabs) March 12, 2025
So, with that said, what happens to the game next? That's a question many players have on their minds.
What Will Happen to Pokémon GO Now That It Has Been Acquired By Scopely?
Senior Vice President of Pokémon GO, Ed Wu, provided insight into the game's future direction in a statement shortly after the news broke. In it, he describes the move as a "positive step" for all players and says that Scopely believes in continuing the mission to "create the best Pokémon GO experience possible."
Wu also assured players that the entire Pokémon GO team would stay together through this partnership. He explained:
The same people who have been guiding and building the game for years will continue doing what we love. We’re always continually adding to the game - Raid Battles, friends, GO Battle League, Routes, Dynamax/Gigantamax, and, of course, Pokémon GO Fest and our live events - which I look forward to continuing to do for many years to come.
In a separate statement from Niantic, it was reiterated that "Our game team has exciting long-term roadmaps that they will continue to build upon as part of Scopely."
All in all, it appears from a player's point of view that Pokémon GO would simply go on as if nothing had ever happened. No major changes to the game's overall structure and gameplay experience are slated to come into effect, at least for the foreseeable future.
Despite these reassuring words, some players remain skeptical about the game's direction regarding ads. Many have voiced concerns online about Pokémon GO potentially featuring more frequent in-app ads, similar to Scopely's other mobile titles.
What Will Happen To Players' Pokémon GO Accounts and In-Game Progress?
Understandably, there are other concerns about what will happen to accounts. It's confirmed that no player accounts will be impacted or deleted by Scopely taking over Pokémon GO from Niantic. The in-game progress made by players will also remain unaffected.
It bears repeating that nothing will affect the player experience during this transition period.
As for Niantic's plans, they will be venturing further into the geospatial AI business with the creation of their new company known as Niantic Spatial Inc.. They aim to build "spatial intelligence that helps people better understand, navigate, and engage with the physical world."