Pokémon Go Maker Potential Sale Marks a New Chapter

Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, which it claims is the most downloaded and profitable augmented reality app to date, encourages players to explore their environment through an interactive map to discover iconic characters. Headquartered in San Francisco, Niantic also develops tools for capturing and sharing 3D scans of real-world locations. In November 2024, the company announced that data from its applications had contributed to a “large geospatial model” that leverages machine learning to analyze and connect scenes globally.

Scopely, a mobile game developer, is owned by Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Savvy acquired Scopely two years ago for $4.9 billion. In 2024, Savvy’s CEO Brian Ward stated in an interview with Bloomberg that the company sought to enhance its portfolio with a “genre-leading” mobile game through Scopely, which is integral to its mobile gaming strategy.

In August, Niantic entered into a partnership with Savvy to bolster its presence in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. This investment strategy aligns with the broader goals of the Saudi Public Investment Fund to diversify the country’s economy by investing in the gaming sector.