Niantic in Talks to Sell to Saudi-Owned Firm Behind Stumble Guys

Pokémon Go developer Niantic is reportedly in discussions to sell its video game division to Saudi-owned Scopely for a staggering $3.5 billion. This deal, as first reported by Bloomberg, would likely encompass Pokémon Go, the immensely popular augmented-reality mobile game that encourages players to venture into the real world to capture Pokémon.

A source, who spoke to Bloomberg under the condition of anonymity, indicated that while the deal is not finalized, it could be confirmed within weeks if approved. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor its owner Savvy Games Group have been willing to comment publicly on the potential acquisition.

It's worth noting that Savvy Games Group acquired Scopely in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, following the Saudi Arabia government's announcement of its intention to purchase "a leading games publisher." Scopely is known for publishing several successful mobile games, including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

Additionally, Savvy Gaming Group has made significant investments in the esports industry, purchasing two of the world's largest esports companies, ESL and FACEIT, for a combined $1.5 billion in 2022.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has stated that these moves are part of a broader strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the games and esports sector by 2030. “We are harnessing the untapped potential across the esports and games sector to diversify our economy, drive innovation in the sector, and further scale the entertainment and esports competition offerings across the Kingdom,” he remarked.