Pokémon GO Developer Niantic Sells Gaming Portfolio to Scopely: No Layoffs for Pokémon GO Teams

In a major industry development earlier this year, Niantic—best known as the creator and developer behind blockbuster mobile titles like Pokémon GO—finalized the sale of its entire gaming portfolio to Scopely for a reported $3.85 billion.

This high-profile transaction placed prominent games, most notably Pokémon GO and Pikmin Bloom, under Scopely’s management, leading to questions within the gaming community about potential changes for these beloved franchises and the teams that support them. While much of the focus has centered on the future of Pokémon GO, recent news has emerged concerning staff changes within Niantic’s technology division.

Niantic Spatial, the arm responsible for advanced AR and geospatial technologies, has reportedly laid off 68 employees.

According to several sources, including GamesIndustry.biz, this move had been anticipated for some time within the company but nonetheless came as a surprise to many, particularly in the wake of Niantic selling its gaming assets to Scopely. In the wake of these developments, Scopely has issued a public statement aimed at reassuring both employees and the broader industry.

A spokesperson for Scopely clarified that the company "will not be making any workforce reductions as part of our acquisition of Niantic’s games business." This affirmation provides much-needed stability for the teams responsible for Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and related titles, especially as the wider games industry continues to experience significant transitions and restructuring. For the millions of longtime fans of Pokémon GO, the news comes as a welcome assurance.

Since its launch in July 2016, Pokémon GO has become a cultural phenomenon, consistently ranking among the top-grossing mobile games worldwide and driving mobile adoption for Nintendo’s celebrated franchise.

Pikmin Bloom, another title previously managed by Niantic, has also carved out a niche following, leveraging smartphone AR capabilities—a testament to the company's ongoing innovations in augmented reality and interactive location-based experiences. The transfer of Niantic’s gaming business to Scopely is one of the largest deals in recent mobile gaming history.

While the industry is often shaped by rapid changes in corporate structure and developer teams, Scopely’s commitment to retaining acquired talent is notable.

It signals a continued focus on delivering engaging experiences to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Direct, and eShop audiences around the world.

As the situation develops, further updates are expected, but for now, players and stakeholders can be reassured that Pokémon GO’s core development team remains secure amidst broader industry changes. Stay tuned to Nintendojo and other reputable sources for the latest updates on Pokémon GO, Niantic, and the Nintendo gaming ecosystem.

Pokémon Pokémon GO Niantic Scopely Niantic Spatial