Pokémon GO Officially Sold to Saudi-Backed Scopely—Here’s What You Need to Know

In a groundbreaking deal that has sent shockwaves through the gaming world, it’s now official: Pokémon GO, the massively popular mobile game, has been sold to the Saudi Arabian government. Scopely, a mobile game maker backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquired Niantic’s gaming division for a whopping $3.5 billion. While the deal may seem like just another corporate transaction, it’s likely a key piece of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and build a stronger presence in the global entertainment industry.

In my earlier article, “Pokémon Go Sale Rumors: More Than Just a Game?” , I highlighted the growing signs of Saudi Arabia’s interest in gaming as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. This deal seems to confirm that interest. Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s push to reduce its reliance on oil and focus more on sectors like technology, entertainment, and gaming. The PIF’s investments in major companies like Nintendo and Electronic Arts show just how serious the country is about expanding its influence in these industries.

The acquisition of Pokémon GO is undoubtedly a major win for the PIF, but it’s likely about more than just financial gain. By acquiring one of the most successful mobile games ever, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself to become a key player in the global gaming and entertainment market. Scopely’s involvement signals that we may see new innovations and enhancements to Pokémon GO, possibly including more advanced integration with augmented reality (AR) and fresh gameplay features that could prolong the game’s popularity.

Another crucial aspect of this deal is Niantic’s decision to spin off its geospatial AI division into a separate entity called Niantic Spatial. According to reports from Reuters, this move ensures Niantic will continue to focus on AR and mapping technology, which could lead to new advancements in spatial computing, even as its gaming division transitions to Scopely.

With Pokémon GO now part of a Saudi-backed company, the game’s future—and potentially the gaming landscape as a whole—could see some exciting changes. As Saudi Arabia continues to increase its footprint in the global entertainment sector, it’s clear that this deal is just one of many steps in the kingdom’s push to secure its place as a dominant force in technology and entertainment.