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

Niantic, the developer behind the wildly popular augmented-reality game Pokémon Go, is reportedly engaged in discussions to sell its video game division to Scopely, a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group. According to Bloomberg, the potential deal is valued at $3.5 billion and would likely encompass Pokémon Go, the game that has captivated millions by encouraging players to explore the real world in search of Pokémon.

An anonymous source cited by Bloomberg mentioned that while the deal is not finalized, it could be announced within weeks if all parties agree. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor Savvy Games Group have issued public statements regarding the rumored acquisition.

Scopely was acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, following the Saudi Arabian government's declaration of intent to purchase "a leading games publisher." Scopely is known for its successful mobile games, including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

Savvy Games Group has also made significant investments in the esports industry, having acquired ESL and FACEIT, two of the largest esports companies globally, for a combined $1.5 billion in 2022.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz highlighted the strategic importance of these acquisitions, stating, “Savvy Games Group is one part of our ambitious strategy aiming to make Saudi Arabia the ultimate 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.”