Niantic in Talks to Sell Pokémon Go Business to Saudi-Owned Stumble Guys Company

Niantic, the developer behind the popular augmented-reality game Pokémon Go, is reportedly in discussions to sell its video game division to Scopely, a company owned by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, for a staggering $3.5 billion. According to a report by Bloomberg, this potential deal would encompass Pokémon Go, a game that has revolutionized mobile gaming by encouraging players to venture into the real world to capture Pokémon.

A source, who spoke to Bloomberg on the condition of anonymity, indicated that while the deal is not yet finalized, it could be confirmed within weeks if all goes well. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor Savvy Games Group have issued public statements regarding the reported acquisition.

It's worth noting that Savvy Games Group, which acquired Scopely in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, aligns with the Saudi Arabian government's strategy to invest in leading game publishers. Scopely is known for publishing successful mobile titles such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go. Additionally, in 2022, Savvy Gaming Group bought two of the largest esports companies, ESL and FACEIT, for a combined $1.5 billion.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has articulated the country's vision, 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.” He further elaborated on the economic diversification and innovation goals, emphasizing the potential to enhance entertainment and esports competitions within the Kingdom.