Niantic's $3.5B Sale of Pokémon Go to Scopely Sparks Fan Concerns Over Future Gameplay Changes
February 19, 2025
Reactions from the Pokémon Go community have been mixed; while some fans are frustrated with recent changes, many prefer to keep the current management rather than risk new ownership.
Concerns about Scopely's management style include dissatisfaction with its pay-to-win mechanics and declining game quality following previous acquisitions.
Players have begun transferring their Pokémon to Pokémon Home as a precaution against potential changes, although this transfer is a one-time action.
Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, is reportedly negotiating a sale of its gaming business to Saudi Arabia-owned Scopely Inc. for around $3.5 billion.
The potential deal, which could be announced soon, may include Pokémon Go and other mobile titles, aligning with Scopely's strategy to enhance its mobile gaming portfolio.
Fans are encouraged to voice their concerns to The Pokémon Company in hopes of influencing the outcome of the sale and preserving the game's integrity.
The game's dedicated fanbase continues to provide stable revenue streams for Niantic, which has faced challenges such as layoffs and project cancellations in recent years.
As uncertainty looms over the acquisition, many players are adopting a wait-and-see approach, hoping for improvements in gameplay and player rewards.
The Pokémon GO Hub remains committed to supporting the community with updates, regardless of the outcome of the potential sale.
Despite Pokémon Go still boasting around 80 million monthly users, this number has significantly dropped from its peak of 232 million, raising concerns about its future.
This news comes just ahead of the Pokémon GO Tour event, highlighting the ongoing engagement of the community amidst these developments.
In the worst-case scenario, fans fear that Pokémon Go could adopt aggressive monetization strategies similar to those seen in other Scopely games, leading to a decline in player experience.
Summary based on 32 sources
Get a daily email with more Tech stories
Sources

Forbes • Feb 20, 2025
Niantic To Unload ‘Pokemon Go’ For $3.5 Billion, HP Buys Dead AI Pin
TechCrunch • Feb 19, 2025
Pokémon Go maker Niantic is reportedly selling its games division | TechCrunch
Yahoo Finance • Feb 19, 2025
‘Pokémon Go’ Maker Nears $3.5 Billion Deal to Sell Games Unit
Yahoo Finance • Feb 19, 2025
Saudi Pokémon Go? Beloved AR gaming app may be sold off, report says