Niantic in Talks to Sell Game Business to Saudi Firm Behind Stumble Guys
Niantic, the developer behind the wildly popular augmented-reality mobile 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. This significant deal, as first reported by Bloomberg, could potentially include the iconic Pokémon Go, which has revolutionized the gaming world by encouraging players to explore the real world in search of Pokémon.
According to an anonymous source speaking to Bloomberg, while the deal is not yet finalized, it could be officially confirmed within weeks if all parties give their approval. Neither Niantic, Scopely, nor Savvy Games Group have issued public statements regarding the potential acquisition.
Scopely, which was acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion, is known for publishing a variety of successful mobile games, including The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, Stumble Guys, Marvel Strike Force, and Monopoly Go. This acquisition followed a statement from the Saudi government expressing its intent to purchase "a leading games publisher."
Savvy Games Group's portfolio also includes two of the largest esports companies globally, ESL and FACEIT, which were purchased for $1.5 billion in 2022. This move aligns with the ambitious vision of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for the games and esports industry 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," the Crown Prince stated. He further emphasized the Kingdom's goal to leverage the untapped potential in the esports and games sector to diversify the economy, foster innovation, and enhance entertainment and esports offerings throughout Saudi Arabia.
