Niantic Confirms Layoffs After $3.5 Billion Gaming Division Sale: Impact on Pokémon GO and More
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Published on: April 15, 2025
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Niantic, the developer behind augmented reality sensation Pokémon GO, is undergoing major restructuring after finalizing the sale of its gaming division.
The $3.5 billion deal, which transferred high-profile titles like Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now to Saudi-owned publisher Scopely, marks a significant shift in the company’s business strategy.
As reported by Game Developer, Niantic is set to lay off 68 employees with the changes taking effect on May 20, 2025.
This information surfaced from a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) report published in California, which mandates advance notice for such workforce reductions.
The layoffs were originally disclosed in a company blog post on March 20.
In a letter shared with employees, Niantic CEO John Hanke explained that the decision followed a comprehensive review of company priorities.
Hanke stated that certain positions were no longer necessary due to Niantic’s renewed focus on its geospatial AI enterprise, now organized under Niantic Spatial Inc.
Hanke emphasized, "These decisions are never easy.
They do not reflect the individual performance of staff members, and we recognize the effects on people’s lives.
We deeply value the substantial contributions our team members have made and will support them as they move on to new opportunities."
Game Developer confirmed with a Niantic spokesperson that the layoffs are directly linked to the WARN filing, and the company declined to provide further comments beyond the official statement.
The shift follows Niantic’s headline-making sale to Scopely in March 2025.
Scopely, now the publisher for Pokémon GO and several other successful franchises, has assured players that titles such as Pokémon GO, Monster Hunter Now, and Pikmin Bloom will continue to operate under its stewardship.
Shortly after the transition, Michael Steranka, Pokémon GO's senior product director, addressed the fan community by responding to reports of potential changes, including increased advertising and possible time restrictions within the game.
Niantic, whose pioneering work on Pokémon GO helped redefine mobile gaming and AR technology, now turns its attention entirely to next-generation geospatial AI initiatives.
Meanwhile, Scopely inherits a thriving portfolio that continues to engage millions of players worldwide on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices through the eShop and beyond.
These latest developments underscore ongoing changes in the global gaming industry, as major studios recalibrate to capitalize on emerging technologies and new business models.
