Niantic Labs, the company behind the global sensation Pokémon GO, is selling its video game division to Scopely for an incredible $3.5 billion. That’s a massive deal, but considering the impact Pokémon GO had when it launched, it’s not surprising.
The Pokémon GO Phenomenon
If you weren’t around when Pokémon GO launched in 2016, you missed a cultural moment unlike any other. Overnight, the mobile game took over streets, parks, and public spaces, with players of all ages hunting for virtual Pokémon in the real world.
At its peak, the game had a staggering 200 million monthly users. Even though that number later dropped to around 50 million, it remained one of the most successful mobile games ever. In 2024, it saw a resurgence, climbing back up to 100 million active users per month.
Why Niantic Is Selling Its Gaming Division
Despite the success of Pokémon GO, Niantic struggled to replicate that magic with its other game releases. As a result, the company is now selling off its video game division to focus on other projects.
Scopely, the company acquiring Niantic’s gaming division, is best known for Monopoly GO, another wildly successful mobile game. Given their expertise in mobile gaming, they seem like a solid fit to take Pokémon GO into the future.
What’s Next for Pokémon GO?
With new ownership, some changes are likely coming. However, Niantic’s Senior VP of Pokémon GO, Ed Wu, reassured players that the game’s core experience will remain intact.
“I won’t say that Pokémon GO will remain the same, because it has always been a work in progress,” Wu shared in a blog post. “But how we create and evolve it will remain unchanged, and I hope that we can make the experience even better for all of you.”
As long as Pokémon GO keeps the features that made it a global hit—augmented reality exploration, community-driven gameplay, and real-world interaction—it should continue to thrive under Scopely’s leadership.
