Scopely's acquisition of Niantic, a deal valued at $3.5 billion, unites some of the biggest names in augmented reality gaming under one roof. This means popular titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now are now part of the Scopely family.
Pokémon GO, despite its nearly decade-long run, continues to dominate, boasting over 100 million unique players in 2024 alone and consistently ranking among the top 10 mobile games since its 2016 launch.
Pikmin Bloom, a 2021 collaboration with Nintendo, also saw a significant surge in popularity in 2024. Players logged a staggering 3.94 trillion steps, and in-person events drew thousands of fans across Japan, the U.S., and Germany.
Monster Hunter Now, Niantic's newest addition, has already achieved over 15 million downloads since its September 2023 release. The acquisition also includes Niantic's development teams and companion apps, Campfire and Wayfarer.
Campfire facilitates real-world gameplay connections, while Wayfarer empowers players to map new locations for Niantic games. In 2024, over six million players used Campfire for in-person events, and Wayfarer contributed over 11.5 million new location points since its 2019 launch.
What Does This Mean for Players?
For players, the immediate impact is minimal. Scopely already boasts a strong portfolio, including MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force. Scopely promises increased resources for Niantic's development teams and the potential introduction of new AR experiences to existing Niantic games.
Don't miss Pokémon GO's Festival of Colors, available now on the Google Play Store.
Also, be sure to check out our news on KartRider Rush+'s Season 31, featuring a "Journey to the West" theme.