Monopoly Go maker bags Pokemon Go for $3.5B

Niantic, creator of Pokemon Go, has completed a deal with a Saudi Arabia-owned games developer and publisher for roughly $3.5 million.

As previously reported by Cybernews, Niantic was in talks with Scopely, owned by the Saudi-based Savvy Games Group, about acquiring its popular mobile game Pokemon Go and other titles.

Now, both Niantic and Scopely have confirmed the acquisition. Scopely has paid $3.5 billion and a little more for Pokemon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, along with companion apps and services like Campfire and Wayfarer.

Not only will the titles and their companion apps and services be acquired, but also the relevant Niantic teams.

Those working within the game teams will “continue to pursue their ambitious roadmaps” under the guidance of prior Google employees and overseers of successful Niantic titles, Kei Kawai and Ed Wu.

Scopely is best known for various mobile game titles, including Monopoly Go and Stumble Guys.

Savvy Games Group, Scopely’s parent company, is a games and e-sports company that employs roughly 3450 people in 69 locations across 22 countries.

According to Wired, the parent company is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is worth around $38 billion.

The company states that it “aims to be one of the most active and prolific investors in the games industry.”

Five different companies are part of Savvy Games Group, most of which are headquartered in Saudi Arabia.