Niantic Sells Pokémon Go and Other Games to Scopely for $3.5 Billion: What It Means for Players
Last week, Niantic announced the sale of its games division, responsible for popular augmented reality (AR) titles like Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom, to mobile gaming giant Scopely for $3.5 billion. The deal, which had been rumored for weeks, sparked concerns among Pokémon Go’s dedicated fanbase about the game’s future under Scopely, the company behind Monopoly Go!.
As a longtime Pokémon Go player, I shared some of these concerns, particularly around monetization and player data privacy. To address these questions, I spoke with Michael Steranka, senior product director for Pokémon Go, who has been working on the game for eight years. Below is our conversation, edited for clarity.
Polygon: As someone deeply involved with the game, what does this deal mean for Pokémon Go players?
Michael Steranka: I’ve been following player reactions online, and I want to reassure everyone that this is a positive move for the game and its community. I’m excited to clarify things and ease some of the concerns I’ve seen.
Why do you believe this will be a good thing for the game?
Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to meet and work with the Scopely team. What stood out to me is how much they align with Niantic’s values, especially when it comes to caring for player communities and fostering a supportive team environment. Scopely operates by giving its game teams full autonomy to make the best decisions for their games. There’s no top-down pressure from executives—they’re there to support us with the resources we need to succeed.
After talking to friends at Scopely and seeing how they operate, I’m confident that Pokémon Go will continue to run as it always has, with the same practices and vision for the future.
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Did Scopely express a unique perspective on Pokémon Go compared to their other free-to-play games?
Absolutely. During the due diligence process, Scopely gained access to our data and key performance indicators. They were impressed by how we’ve built a game that stands out in the market, with a passionate and loyal fanbase. While they’re interested in the game’s financial stability, they’re even more inspired by how we’ve created such a durable and unique product. They’ve expressed a desire to learn from Pokémon Go and apply those insights to other games in their portfolio.
Many players are worried about intrusive ads or paywalls limiting gameplay. Can you address those concerns?
If there’s one thing I want players to take away from this conversation, it’s that Pokémon Go will not introduce intrusive ads or pay-to-play mechanics—not now, not ever. Scopely understands how special this game is and has no intention of altering what makes it successful. They’ve given us the freedom to make decisions that are best for the game, and we would never implement anything that disrupts the player experience.
Some players are concerned about their location and movement data being shared with a new company. How will their privacy be protected?
We do not sell player data to third parties, period. Location data is used solely to operate the game, and it’s stored on U.S.-based servers following strict regulatory standards. Scopely’s involvement doesn’t change this. I hope this reassures players that their data remains secure and private.
Niantic has always emphasized getting outside, being active, and exploring. Is that philosophy tied to Niantic, or will it continue under Scopely?
That mission is definitely driven by Niantic, but it’s also something our team is deeply passionate about. We don’t want Pokémon Go to become Pokémon Stay at Home. The game’s core purpose—encouraging players to explore the world and connect with others—is what makes it unique and valuable. That won’t change under Scopely’s ownership.
In short, this deal is about ensuring Pokémon Go continues to thrive while staying true to the values and experiences that players love.
