Scopely has just announced its acquisition of Niantic, a move that brings some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under its umbrella. This $3.5 billion deal includes popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. Pokémon GO, despite being nearly a decade old, remains a powerhouse, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone and consistently ranking in the top 10 mobile games since its launch in 2016.

Pikmin Bloom, launched by Niantic in partnership with Nintendo in 2021, encourages players to plant virtual flowers as they walk. The game saw a significant surge in popularity in 2024, with players logging an impressive 3.94 trillion steps last year. In-person events in Japan, the U.S., and Germany attracted thousands of fans, further boosting its appeal.

Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's most recent release from September 2023, has already surpassed 15 million downloads. Alongside the games, Niantic's development teams and companion apps such as Campfire and Wayfarer are also transitioning to Scopely. Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer enables players to map new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players attended in-person events through Campfire, and Wayfarer has added over 11.5 million new location points since its inception in 2019.

What Does the Scopely and Niantic Deal Mean for Players?

For players, the immediate impact of this acquisition should be minimal. Scopely's existing portfolio, which includes titles like MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force, suggests that Niantic's games will continue to thrive. Scopely has committed to providing additional resources to the development teams and introducing new augmented reality experiences to enhance the Niantic games. It will be exciting to see how these enhancements unfold in the near future.

On a related note, don't miss out on Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors event, available now on the Google Play Store. And before you go, take a look at our coverage of KartRider Rush+ Season 31, featuring Journey to the West.