Niantic/The Pokemon CompanyPokemon Go creators Niantic Inc. are reportedly eyeing a blockbuster sale to a Saudi Arabia-controlled company to the tune of $3.5 billion.
Almost a decade on from its release, Pokemon Go is still a juggernaut in the mobile gaming market, generating hundreds of millions in revenue with each passing year.
While initially a startup under Google’s umbrella, the San Francisco development studio went independent in 2015 and has remained as such ever since. Now, the American team at Niantic is reportedly close to inking a deal with a Saudi-backed company, one that would sell off its entire gaming division.
As Bloomberg reported, Niantic is in talks to sell its gaming business to Scopley Inc, a company owned by Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. According to one source, the deal looks to be around the $3.5 billion mark.
Pokemon Go reportedly close to selling to Saudi Arabia-controlled company
Should the deal go through, Savvy Games Group would entirely control Niantic’s operations in the gaming industry, including all of its ongoing projects, not just Pokemon Go.
The San Francisco-based devs do indeed work on other projects, including tools that capture 3D scans of real-world locations. Though this particular deal pertains exclusively to its gaming unit, with Pokemon Go by and large the biggest release, and Monster Hunter Now another notable title.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment fund is recognized as one of the biggest allotments of wealth in the world today, with assets estimated to be valued at around $930 billion USD. 60% of the fund’s investments focus on Saudi-backed operations and activities, with the remaining 40% snapping up control in foreign entities.
Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind there’s no guarantee the deal will go through, especially now that details have been aired out in public. All that’s being reported for the time being is that a $3.5 billion deal has been presented, but nothing formally signed at the time of writing.
This wouldn’t be Niantic’s first step in Saudi Arabia, mind you. Back in August, 2024, Niantic inked a deal with Savvy to help expand its operations across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
Pokemon Go officially launched in Saudi Arabia on November 9, 2024.
Bloomberg claimed “a deal could be announced in the coming weeks”, so it shouldn’t be long before we hear one way or the other.
