Pokémon Go Developer Niantic Reportedly in Talks to Sell Video Game Business to Saudi-Owned Company Behind Stumble Guys

Niantic, the developer behind the wildly popular augmented reality game Pokémon Go, is reportedly negotiating a potential $3.5 billion sale of its video game division to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company. According to Bloomberg, the deal would encompass Pokémon Go, the mobile game that captivated millions by blending the virtual world of Pokémon with real-world exploration. While a source speaking to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity indicates the sale isn't finalized, a confirmation could arrive within weeks if approved. Niantic, Scopely, and its parent company, Savvy Games Group, have declined to comment publicly on the reported acquisition.

Savvy Games Group's acquisition of Scopely in April 2023 for $4.9 billion followed a Saudi Arabian government announcement expressing its intent to acquire a leading games publisher. Scopely's portfolio boasts a number of successful mobile games, including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go. Adding to its impressive acquisitions, Savvy Games Group also purchased ESL and FACEIT, two prominent esports companies, for a combined $1.5 billion in 2022.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz stated at the time that Savvy Games Group is a key component of a broader strategy to establish Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the gaming and esports industry by 2030. The initiative aims to diversify the Saudi economy, foster innovation within the gaming sector, and expand entertainment and esports competition within the Kingdom.