In major Pokemon Go news, Niantic Inc., the creators of Pokemon Go, are reportedly negotiating a major deal with a Saudi Arabia-linked corporation valued at around $3.5 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Although nearly a decade has passed since Pokemon Go’s original launch, the mobile juggernaut continues to earn hundreds of millions in annual revenue.
Pokemon Go news
Originally part of Google, Niantic split off in 2015 and has remained independent—until now. Sources indicate the company is on the verge of selling its gaming division to Scopely Inc., which is owned by the Savvy Games Group, which is itself a branch of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Pokemon Go sold to saudi arabia?
Should the purchase go through, Niantic’s entire gaming portfolio, including mega-hit Pokemon Go and Monster Hunter Now, would fall under Savvy’s control.
Deal Overview
- Potential Valuation: $3.5 billion
- Buyer: Scopely Inc., owned by Savvy Games Group (Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund)
- Scope of Sale: Niantic’s gaming division, featuring Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and other titles.
Broader Saudi Investment Strategy
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, valued at approximately $930 billion, typically allocates 60% of its resources to domestic ventures, while 40% goes to international investments.
This deal would mark Niantic’s second major collaboration with Savvy, following a 2024 partnership aimed at extending its reach into markets like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Notably, Pokemon Go officially launched in Saudi Arabia on November 9, 2024.
The Savvy Games Group also made some big purchases in the gaming and esports group a few years ago:
- ESL & FACEIT: In early 2022, Savvy purchased ESL (one of the largest esports tournament organizers) and FACEIT (a leading competitive gaming platform), merging them into the ESL FACEIT Group. The combined deal was valued at about $1.5 billion, significantly boosting Savvy’s involvement in the esports scene.
- Embracer Group: Also in 2022, Savvy invested $1 billion in Sweden-based Embracer Group (the parent company behind game developers like Gearbox and THQ Nordic). That investment made Savvy one of Embracer’s largest shareholders, underscoring its interest in global game publishing and development.
“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,” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said of the purchases.
What’s Next?
It’s important to note that no binding agreement appears to be in place just yet.
Bloomberg reports that an official announcement could happen “in the coming weeks,” though deals of this magnitude sometimes fall through once details become public. Until then, Niantic remains an independent studio known primarily for pioneering augmented reality gaming.
However, if the sale does materialize, it would add another significant acquisition to Saudi Arabia’s growing gaming portfolio and potentially shape the future of augmented reality experiences under Niantic’s umbrella.
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