Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, is reportedly considering selling its game development division, according to Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources.
The company is exploring a $3.5 million deal with Scopely, a mobile game developer owned by Saudi Arabia-based Savvy Games Group. So far, neither Niantic nor Scopely has provided an official statement on the matter.
Niantic – A Pioneer in AR Gaming
Niantic is one of the few companies that has successfully utilized augmented reality (AR) technology to create engaging games. Its first title, Ingress, was praised for its unique, geography-based gameplay. However, it was Pokémon Go, launched in 2016, that became a global sensation and skyrocketed the company to fame.
Despite its initial success, Niantic’s later titles failed to reach the same level of popularity as Pokémon Go. In 2022, the company laid off 8% of its staff and shut down four projects, including Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. In 2023, Niantic fired 230 employees and canceled its NBA and Marvel-related games.
Niantic’s Future Direction
Beyond gaming, Niantic has been focusing on AI and geospatial technology. In 2023, the company updated its Scaniverse app, allowing users to scan real-world objects and convert them into digital models. In November, Niantic announced plans to develop a large-scale geospatial model that uses AI to analyze and connect different real-world scenes globally.
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