Monopoly Go Maker Scopely to acquire NIANTIC game games for $ 3.5b

Monopoly Go Maker Scopely agreed to acquire NinthicalThe game business that includes Pokémon GoIn a $ 3.5 billion deal.

The acquisition will lead to all NIANTIC game development teams as well as its games such as Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter now until ScopelyS And Scopely also picks up the bearing and Wayfarer applications for the various SCopely video game portfolio. The companies said this move emphasizes Scopely’s constant commitment to social experience governed by the Community.

The Niantic Games business has more than 30 million active monthly players (MAU) and has prepared over $ 1 billion in 2024. The deal will surely send an echo through the game, as the two mobile giants are combined to create a major entity.

Niantic’s Pokémon Go continues to be a global sensation, qualifying as the top 10 mobile game every year since its launch nearly a decade ago, with 100 million+ unique players in 2024.

The combined portfolio of the companies will create one of the largest communities of world players in the world, with only half a billion players alone in 2024 in Scopely, the NIntic Game teams will continue to pursue their ambitious road cards led by their long -standing leaders of the KEI Games for Games Studio for Games Studio for Games for Games for Games Studio.

As one of the largest, fastest growing companies in mobile games, Scopely is known for their strong social experiences that unite people and make life better through play. The always developing digital playgrounds of the company-from Monopoly Go to Stumble Guys, Star Trek: Fleet Command, Marvel Strike Force and others-have been a part of the life of players for years. This acquisition signals the constant engagement of Scopely and the passion for the game, as a further investment in favorite games with deeply engaged communities that cover the world. “

“Scopely has always been focused on raising meaningful communities through shared love for the game, and the Niantic Games organization is one of the best in the world in this endeavor. We are extremely inspired by what the team has built over the last decade, delivering innovative experiences that captivate a huge, lasting global audience and bring people into the real world. We look forward to further accelerating the creativity of the team through our partnership, “says Tim O’Brien, CEO of Revenue and a member of the Scopely board. “A few games in the world have delivered the scale and longevity of Pokémon Go, which reached over 100 million players alone last year.”

He added: “Experience also stands separately because of its unique ability to encourage personal relationships, such as Pokémon Go Live events attracting millions present. After spending time with Niantic’s team, it quickly became clear that this organization shares our tendency to create leading results in the industry and exceptional players experience. We look forward to the bright future ahead. “

With over 20 million weekly active players, Pokémon Go remains the top 10 mobile title every year since 2016. Pokémon Go Players, also known as coaches, have explored more than 30 billion miles together.

Favorite experience reaches players in over 190 countries and regions, bringing together a massive, deeply engaged fan community, which is an average of 40 minutes in everyday game time.

Approximately half of all players return to the game seven days a week. Unique real -life (IRL) events further drive the title, such as Pokémon Go Live events that bring together millions of people on many continents; Two million tickets were sold for Pokémon Go Fest alone in 2024. Participants have caught 150 million+ Pokémon since their debuts. I caught quite a number of them.

Pikmin Bloom was created in collaboration with Nintendo. Niantic introduced Pikmin Bloom in 2021 to help players cover the world in flowers. The title closes 2024 with a record year. The game hit its highest active number of players more than three years after the launch.

The players took 3.94 trillion steps in 2024 and gathered at personal events in the community in Japan, the US, Germany and Taiwan. Pikmin Bloom Journey collected 10,000+ participants in Tokyo last year.

Monster Hunter is now the most NIntic game and has taken a storm players, especially in Japan. After starting in September 2023, the game reached 15 million+ withdraws in just seven months. Its growing Player base also quickly covered IRL events, with nearly 20,000 people attending Monster Hunter’s first event in Shibuya, Japan last October.

More than 50% of his audience plays every day of the week, presenting a deeply engaged community of players, which reflects those of Scopely’s existing portfolio.

Campfire and Wayfarer are applications and services for social companions that lead to deep engagement in NIANTIC GAMES. Campfire connects the local gameplay players in the real world, encouraging IRL friendships. Wayfarer allows players to map new places for their favorite Niantic Games by directly shaping their adventures in the games they love.

These applications represent NIntic’s innovative approach to location -based games and emphasize the team’s desire to continue to elevate the player’s experience. In 2024 alone, 6 million+ people joined personal meetings through fire.

The Wayfaer Community has added more than 11.5 million new Wayspot places to NIANTIC GAMES after its launch 2019.

“Niantic’s games have always been a people to connect people and inspire the study, and I am sure they will continue to do as part of Scopely,” John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic, said in a statement. “Scopely shares our focus on the construction and operation of incredible live services, has exceptional experience in working with the largest and most beloved intellectual properties in the world and takes care of its players and games for games. I firmly believe that this partnership is great for our players and is the best way to ensure that our games have the long-term support and the investment needed for Forever Games that will last for future generations. “

In the acquisition, Niantic will rotate its technology platform into a new self -formation, NIANANTIC SPATIAL INC., led by HANKE, NIANTIC SPATIAL, will be a geospatial AI company, powered by a next -generation card, allowing devices and machines to understand and interact with the physical world. Niantic Spatile and will continue to own and operate AR Games “Ingress Prime” and “Peridot”.

All members of the NIANTIC GAMEMEKING team, along with the rents, KEI KAWAI and ED WU, will join over 2,300 scopeleans in Asia, EMEA, North America and Central America to continue to develop and operate their favorite experiences.

“It was an incredible joy to serve hundreds of millions of trainers in our real-world community over the last 10 years, and I really believe that the best is yet to come,” says Ed Wu, SVP on Pokémon Go, in a statement. “Our mission remains clear: to inspire people to find Pokémon in the real world together. With the full commitment, experience and resources of Scopely, we will make Pokémon go the best, which can be – from incredible battles for thousands of trainers at some point from our live events to new ways to contact your friends and community. Most importantly, we will remain focused on the excitement and experience of the discovery of Pokémon in the real world. “

The transaction is subject to common closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Goldman Sachs & Co. The LLC serves as an exceptional financial advisor to NIANTIC and Fenwick & West LLP performs the functions of a legal advisor. JP Morgan serves as an exceptional financial advisor to Scopely and Skadden, ARPS, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP performs the functions of a legal advisor.

Scopely sent a message to Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now Communities.

“We have long admired the innovative gameplay introduced by the NIANTIC GAMES and The Gibrant team
Communities that have shaped the titles in their favorite experiences that are today. We deeply respect
What makes these games special – freedom to research, community forged along the way, and
The thrill of the opening, ”Skopil said. “We believe that our partnership with the NIANTIC GAMES team, which will all join Scopely through this acquisition-they will allow them to achieve their exciting long-term goals, which are designed primarily with you.”