Saudi Arabia’s daring push into the gaming trade has taken one other main step ahead with Scopely’s substantial acquisition of American sport developer Niantic for £2.7 billion ($3.5 billion). Scopely, a subsidiary of Savvy Video games Group—funded by Saudi Arabia‘s sovereign wealth Public Funding Fund—is already famend for profitable cellular video games like ‘Monopoly Go’, ‘Marvel Strike Power’, and ‘Star Trek Fleet Command’, and now provides Niantic, famed for the worldwide phenomenon ‘Pokémon GO’, to its spectacular roster.
What Lies Forward for Niantic?
The numerous deal contains Scopely’s £2.7 billion ($3.5 billion) buy, together with a further funding of round £270 million ($350 million) from Niantic itself. In response to a statement from Scopely, Niantic’s whole video games group will transition to Scopely, persevering with their ongoing tasks and growth.
In an in depth weblog publish, Scopely co-CEOs Javier Ferreira and Walter Driver underlined their unwavering dedication to increasing Niantic’s beloved franchises. Their purpose is to safe these video games as ‘endlessly video games’—sustained by robust group help and ongoing growth. Importantly, Niantic’s standard reside occasions, community-building apps, and real-world exploration options will stay a key focus below Scopely’s administration.
Moreover, Niantic will spin off its geospatial AI division into a brand new, impartial entity named Niantic Spatial Inc. Led by Niantic founder John Hanke, this new agency will launch with roughly £193 million ($250 million) in funding—£154 million ($200 million) from Niantic’s steadiness sheet and a further £39 million ($50 million) from Scopely.
Why Niantic is a Main Win for Scopely
Tim O’Brien, Chief Income Officer and Board Member at Scopely, emphasised the pure synergy between the 2 corporations. He highlighted how Niantic’s progressive group experiences align seamlessly with Scopely’s imaginative and prescient for robust participant engagement.
‘Few video games on this planet have delivered the dimensions and longevity of “Pokémon GO”, which reached over 100 million gamers simply final yr,’ O’Brien mentioned. ‘The expertise additionally stands aside for its distinctive means to foster in-person connections, with Pokémon GO reside occasions attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees.’
John Hanke, in the meantime, expressed confidence on this partnership, emphasising shared values round reside service excellence, participant group care, and artistic independence.
‘Niantic video games have all the time been a bridge connecting individuals and provoking exploration,’ Hanke stated. ‘Scopely shares our concentrate on constructing unimaginable reside providers and cares deeply about its participant communities and game-making groups.’
Pokémon GO’s Distinctive Attain
Launched in 2016, ‘Pokémon GO’ stays a world cellular gaming sensation, attracting round 20 million energetic weekly gamers. The sport constantly ranks among the many high 10 cellular video games worldwide and offered two million tickets for its ‘Pokémon GO Fest’ reside occasions in 2024 alone.
Ed Wu, Head of ‘Pokémon GO’, reassured gamers in a separate assertion that Scopely’s help will bolster the sport’s long-term growth, permitting the group substantial artistic freedom whereas sustaining a robust partnership with The Pokémon Firm.
‘Pokémon GO has all the time been a piece in progress,’ Wu defined, ‘however how we create and evolve it would stay unchanged, and I hope we are able to make the expertise even higher for all of you.’
Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Ambitions: £10.3 Billion Progress by 2030
The Niantic acquisition displays Saudi Arabia’s strategic funding in gaming and esports, with projections forecasting trade development to £10.3 billion ($13.3 billion) by 2030, in keeping with a report by PwC for Savvy Games Group.
Thus far, Saudi Arabia has already invested over £29.4 billion ($38 billion) within the gaming sector, aiming to generate 39,000 new jobs by the Nationwide Gaming and Esports Technique. With round 67% of the Saudi inhabitants (23.5 million people) engaged as avid gamers, the Kingdom is quickly changing into a outstanding worldwide gaming hub.
Moreover, Saudi esports expertise, together with internationally acclaimed opponents reminiscent of MSdossary7 and the Saudi Rocket League group, are attaining world recognition. Landmark tasks just like the NEOM gaming hub and main upcoming occasions such because the 2025 Olympic Esports Video games additional show the nation’s dedication to main the gaming trade.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, its gaming and esports initiatives are poised to grow to be important drivers of financial development, marrying cultural innovation with world gaming ambitions.
