Scopely Inc., which was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s subsidiary Savvy Games in 2023, has agreed to acquire the gaming division of developer Niantic which includes Pokémon Go and Monster Hunter for $3.5 billion.
The agreement includes Niantic’s Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom mobile gaming titles. Launched in 2016, Pokémon Go is still one of the highest-grossing mobile games in the world, with 30 million monthly players. Scopely is also investing $50 million in Niantic Spacial a geospatial AI business being pursued by the company.
Scopely, based in Culver City, California also owns popular Monopoly Go and is planning to absorb all of all the staff of Niantic’s gaming teams.
Launched in 2022, Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy – spearheaded by Savvy Games – announced plans to invest $37.8 billion in the video game industry, allocating $13.3 billion for the acquisition and expansion of a prominent video game developers and publishers with the intent of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global gaming hub by 2030. The initiative includes strategic acquisitions and job creation. The investment strategy involves acquiring minority stakes in leading game publishers and partnering with established industry players to bolster the gaming ecosystem. The goal is to create 39,000 jobs, establish 250 gaming companies, and contribute $13.3 billion annually to the Saudi GDP.
Niantic thus joins other recent Saudi gaming investments including a $1 billion stake in Embracer Group, the major esports organisation ESL Gaming, 96% of SNK Gaming, an estimated $3 billion worth of Activision Blizzard shares, around $1 billion of Take-Two shares, 7.5% of Nintendo and 10% of Electronic Arts.
In 2024 Saudi Arabia also hosted the first eSports World Cup, which had a prize pool of over $60m. Riyadh will host 2027’s planned Olympic eSports Games.
According to a PwC report: “Gaming in Saudi Arabia has evolved far beyond just a hobby—it has become a dynamic industry driving innovation and shaping the Kingdom’s future. The gaming and Esports market is projected to generate US$13.3 billion by 2030 (according to Savvy Games’ 2023 Annual Report), making it a key driver of economic diversification under Vision 2030.”
Niantic CEO, John Hanke commented: “I firmly believe this partnership is great for our players and is the best way to ensure that our games have the long-term support and investment needed to be ‘forever games’ that will endure for future generations.”
