Scopely: Meet the $5.4 Billion Company Taking Over Pokémon Go
Scopely has acquired Niantic's $3.5 billion games division, taking control of popular titles like Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now. This comprehensive overview explains everything players need to know about the new owner of these beloved games.
Hand holds phone playing Pokemon Go
Scopely is a multinational mobile gaming company founded in 2011, now owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund Savvy Games Group. The company operates eight game studios across the United States, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Asia, specializing in mobile games based on popular IPs like Marvel and Star Trek.
Marvel Strike Force character lineup
Notable games in Scopely's portfolio include:
- Marvel Strike Force
- Star Trek Fleet Command
- Monopoly Go!
- The Walking Dead: Road to Survival
- Looney Tunes World of Mayhem
The company has achieved significant success, with six consecutive top-five iOS App Store rankings by 2016 and a company valuation of $5.4 billion as of 2021.
Monopoly GO character earning game rewards
Player concerns center around Scopely's monetization practices, with many reporting:
- Increased focus on "pay-to-win" mechanics
- Aggressive monetization strategies
- Heavy advertisement implementation
- Paywalled content and characters
Pokemon Go shop interface
While no official changes to Pokémon Go's monetization have been announced, players should stay informed about potential updates to the game's economic model. Based on Scopely's track record with other games, changes to the current monetization strategy may occur in the future.
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