Pokémon Go maker Niantic is reportedly selling its games division

Niantic Saeid to Be Near Sale of Game Development Unit

Niantic, the company renowned for its popular augmented reality game Pokémon Go, is in advanced discussions to sell its game development business, according to a recent report by Bloomberg. The sale, which could be valued around $3.5 billion, is reportedly being explored with mobile game developer Scopely, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group.

While neither Niantic nor Scopely has officially commented on the potential deal, the news has sent ripples through the gaming industry. Niantic has consistently been at the forefront of utilizing augmented reality technology to create engaging gaming experiences.

A Legacy of Innovation: From Ingress to Pokémon Go

The company’s debut title, Ingress, garnered widespread acclaim for its unique gameplay centered around territorial control in the real world. However, it was Pokémon Go’s explosive launch in 2016 that propelled Niantic to global recognition, transforming the game into a cultural phenomenon.

Subsequent releases,while successful,haven’t quite reached the same heights as Pokémon Go. To navigate recent industry challenges,Niantic has undertaken restructuring efforts,including staff reductions and project cancellations. In 2022,they laid off 8% of their workforce and shuttered four projects,including Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. This trend continued in 2023 with the layoff of 230 employees and the cancellation of its NBA and Marvel games.

Beyond Gaming: Exploring New Frontiers

Despite thes challenges, Niantic is actively exploring new avenues beyond traditional gaming. Last year, they revamped their Scaniverse app, empowering users to create 3D models of real-world objects and share them with developers. Furthermore, in November, the company announced its ambition to develop a large geospatial model leveraging machine learning to enhance the understanding and connection of various real-world scenes.

The potential sale of Niantic’s game development business marks a notable turning point for the company. While it signifies a shift in strategy, it also underscores Niantic’s continued commitment to innovation and its exploration of groundbreaking technologies like augmented reality and geospatial mapping.

As the gaming landscape evolves, Niantic appears poised to remain at the forefront, shaping the future of interactive experiences.

Given Niantic’s focus on exploring new technologies and applications for AR beyond gaming, what specific areas or industries are they particularly interested in for future progress?

Niantic’s Next Chapter: An interview with CTO and Co-Founder, Harry Coey

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Niantic’s Pivotal Moment: A Potential Sale and a Shifting Focus

In a recent development, Niantic, the trailblazing augmented reality (AR) company behind hits like Pokémon Go, is exploring a notable shift. Rumors suggest the company is in advanced talks to sell its game development business, with mobile game developer Scopely as a potential buyer.We sat down with Niantic’s CTO and Co-Founder, Harry Coey, to discuss this potential transition and what it means for the future of the company.

Harry Coey, CTO and Co-Founder, Niantic

Harry, thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right in. What drove Niantic to explore the potential sale of its game development business?

“Niantic has always been about pushing the boundaries of AR and exploring new frontiers. While our games, like Pokémon Go, have been incredibly successful and remain incredibly popular, we’ve also faced challenges in recent years. The gaming landscape is evolving rapidly, and we believe this shift will allow us to double down on our longer-term vision,” said Coey.

Niantic’s journey has been marked by innovation, from Ingress to Pokémon go. How does this potential sale align with that legacy?

“It’s true that our journey so far has been about creating unique, engaging experiences in the real world through AR games. However, our potential partnership with Scopely isn’t the end of that story. Instead, it’s an evolution. Scopely shares our passion for creating innovative, high-quality games, and we believe they’re the right home for our game development business. Meanwhile, Niantic will continue to explore new technologies and applications for AR,” Coey explained.

Speaking of new technologies,Niantic’s Scaniverse app and geospatial mapping project hint at a future beyond gaming. Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s next?**

“Absolutely. We’ve always been fascinated by the potential of AR to transform how we interact with the world. With Scaniverse, we’ve empowered users to capture and share 3D models of real-world objects. Our upcoming geospatial mapping project takes this a step further, using machine learning to understand and connect various real-world scenes.Our future is about unlocking the full potential of AR, whether it’s in gaming, interaction, or other areas we haven’t even thought of yet,” Coey teased.

As the gaming industry looks to the future, one thing is clear: Niantic is not just a leader in AR gaming but also a pioneer in shaping the next chapter of interactive experiences. We’re eager to see what Coey and his team will build next, whether under Niantic’s banner or through the new opportunities that may arise from this potential sale.