Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, is reportedly negotiating a potential $3.5 billion sale of its video game division to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company. This information, initially reported by Bloomberg, suggests that the sale would encompass Pokémon Go, the wildly popular augmented reality mobile game.
A source speaking to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity indicated that while the deal 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.
It's worth noting that Savvy Games Group acquired Scopely in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, a move following the Saudi Arabian government's announcement of its intention to acquire a leading games publisher. Scopely's portfolio includes popular mobile games such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.
Adding to its acquisitions, Savvy Gaming Group also purchased ESL and FACEIT, two prominent esports organizations, for a combined $1.5 billion in 2022.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz previously stated that Savvy Games Group is a key component of Saudi Arabia's strategy to become a global leader in the gaming and esports industry by 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and foster innovation within the sector.
