Niantic in Talks to Sell to Saudi-Owned Firm Behind Stumble Guys

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 sale would encompass Pokémon Go, the game that has captivated millions of players worldwide by encouraging them to explore the real world to catch virtual Pokémon.

A source, speaking to Bloomberg under the condition of anonymity, indicated that while the deal is not finalized, it could be announced within weeks if all parties agree. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor Savvy Games Group have made public comments regarding this reported acquisition.

Scopely, which was acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion following the Saudi government's announcement of its intent to purchase "a leading games publisher," boasts a portfolio of successful mobile games including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go.

Savvy Games Group has been actively expanding its influence in the gaming industry. In 2022, it acquired two of the largest esports companies, ESL and FACEIT, for a combined $1.5 billion. This move aligns with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz's vision to transform Saudi Arabia into a global hub for the games and esports sector by 2030.

"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," stated the Crown Prince. "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."