Niantic has exited the Pokémon Go business in a multibillion-dollar deal that comes on the heels of public disclosures about its use of player-generated imagery for an AI-powered mapping project. The $3.85 billion sale to Scopely includes three games and their respective development teams.
Last year, Niantic revealed that it had trained a massive geospatial system using real-world scans submitted through Pokémon Go. Players using an optional feature captured scenes from public spaces with their phones, allowing the company to collect hundreds of images per scan. This data was then used to build a digital map powered by artificial intelligence.
Pokemon Go used user cameras to develop an AI Geospacial Model. Can't have any fun without these companies using our data! pic.twitter.com/RoGU2wzsH0
— Bryan S3 (@BrianSoto683799) November 23, 2024
According to the company, the system now includes more than 50 million neural networks and covers over 1 million real-world locations. The scans helped Niantic measure complex spaces like winding roads or buildings with uneven surfaces — areas where traditional image collection tools fall short.
Niantic's primary goal is corporate, not gameplay. The location and mapping data used to feed their geospacial machine learning model is far more valuable to them than player satisfaction.
That's why they've made countless choices against what players wanted or needed.— David Phoenix (@DavidRMPhoenix1) December 11, 2024
Soon after the announcement, Niantic confirmed it was selling off Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now to Scopely. The deal includes an additional $350 million investment and transfers all development staff to the buyer. Scopely, based in California and owned by Saudi firm Savvy Games Group, previously acquired games like Monopoly Go and Marvel Strike Force.
It's official.
Niantic is selling its gaming business to Scopely, within Savvy Games, for a total value upwards of $3.85B.
Pokémon Go, MH Now, Pikmin Bloom.
Big shake-up, consolidation in the space.
Niantic is also spinning out its geospacial AI business into Niantic Spatial. https://t.co/ADkn9ZT6pN pic.twitter.com/4y7vYL0Yqe
— Dom (@DomsPlaying) March 12, 2025
Niantic will continue operating under a new name, Niantic Spatial, with a focus on building and expanding geospatial artificial intelligence. The new company retains control of Ingress and Peridot, two lesser-known titles that will serve as demonstrations of its AI platform.
Scopely’s business model has stirred concern, with some of its current games featuring in-app purchases costing up to $200. Players worry that Pokémon Go could see similar changes now that it’s under new ownership.
Neither Scopely nor Niantic have provided information about the involvement of The Pokémon Company, Nintendo or Gamefreak in the transaction, despite those companies holding ownership over the Pokémon franchise.
Niantic said its new technology may have applications in areas such as defense and navigation, due to its ability to adapt to dynamic terrain and regional characteristics.
