Niantic, Pokémon Go Developer, in Reported Talks to Sell Gaming Division to Saudi-Owned Stumble Guys Creator

Niantic, the creator behind Pokémon Go, is reportedly in discussions to sell its gaming division to the Saudi-owned company, Scopely, for a massive $3.5 billion.

This news, initially broken by Bloomberg, suggests that the sale might include Pokémon Go itself, the wildly popular augmented-reality game that encourages players to venture into the real world to catch Pokémon.

A Bloomberg insider, choosing to remain anonymous, mentioned that although the deal isn’t finalized yet, confirmation could come within weeks if it moves forward.

None of the companies involved—Niantic, Scopely, or its owner, Savvy Games Group—have been willing to make any public statements regarding this potential acquisition.

Back in April 2023, the Saudi Arabian government, aiming to acquire a leading gaming publisher, facilitated Savvy Games Group’s purchase of Scopely for an impressive $4.9 billion. Scopely is known for publishing a variety of successful mobile games, including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

In 2022, Savvy Gaming Group also made headlines by acquiring two major esports companies, ESL and FACEIT, for a combined $1.5 billion.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has expressed that Savvy Games Group is integral to their visionary plan to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier global hub for gaming and esports by 2030. He emphasized their commitment to exploring the untapped capital within the esports and gaming sectors to diversify the economy, drive innovation, and expand entertainment and esports competitions throughout the Kingdom.

Vikki Blake continues to make her mark as a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. With her unique blend of skills and interests, she remains a stalwart figure in the industry—whether as a Guardian, a Spartan, or a Silent Hill fan.