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, for a staggering $3.5 billion. According to Bloomberg, this potential acquisition would encompass Pokémon Go, a game that has captivated millions by encouraging them to venture into the real world to capture Pokémon.

A source, speaking to Bloomberg under the condition of anonymity, indicated that while the deal is not finalized, it could be confirmed within weeks if approved. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor Savvy Games Group have issued public statements regarding the speculated acquisition.

Scopely, which was itself acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, following a statement from the Saudi government about their intent to purchase "a leading games publisher," boasts a portfolio that includes successful mobile titles such as The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

Savvy Gaming Group's aggressive expansion in the gaming industry is further evidenced by their 2022 acquisition of two of the world's largest esports companies, ESL and FACEIT, for a combined $1.5 billion.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has articulated a clear vision for these investments: “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.”