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

Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, is reportedly negotiating a $3.5 billion sale of its video game division to Scopely, a Saudi-owned gaming company. This news, initially broken by Bloomberg, suggests the sale would encompass Pokémon Go, the immensely 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 this potential acquisition.

The acquisition would follow Savvy Games Group's April 2023 purchase of Scopely for $4.9 billion, a move announced after the Saudi Arabian government expressed its intention to acquire a leading games publisher. Scopely's portfolio includes successful mobile games such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

Savvy Games Group further expanded its presence in the gaming industry with the 2022 acquisition of ESL and FACEIT, two major esports organizations, for a combined $1.5 billion.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz previously stated that Savvy Games Group is a key component of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global leader in the gaming and esports sectors by 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and foster innovation.