Niantic reportedly in talks to sell video game business in $3.5bn deal with Scopely

Pokémon Go developer Niantic is reportedly contemplating promoting its video game portfolio to Savvy Games Group subsidiary, Scopely.
Whilst the deal has but to be confirmed and neither Niantic nor Scopely have talked publicly in regards to the offers, Bloomberg claims the sale could embody Niantic’s tentpole augmented actuality game, Pokémon Go.
If accomplished, it is thought the deal might be price as a lot as $3.5 billion, and introduced formally inside a matter of weeks.
Scopely was acquired by Saudi Arabian multinational game funding group Savvy Games Group again in July 2023 for $4.9 billion. Last month, it appointed Nika Nour as SVP and head of international business development.
Saudi Arabia has been an increasing number of lively in the video games and esports business over the previous few years, having invested $38 billion via its Public Investment Fund. The PIF has stakes in corporations together with Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Nexon and Capcom. It can also be internet hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Games, which are now set for 2027.
These investments have been controversial due to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights report, most notably on gender inequality and the criminalization of homosexuality, which continues to be punishable by life imprisonment or execution.