Pokémon GO Remains Ad-Free as Niantic Reassures Fans After Scopely Acquisition
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Published on: March 19, 2025
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Pokémon GO Remains Ad-Free as Niantic Reassures Fans After Scopely Acquisition
Pokémon GO, Niantic’s enduring mobile phenomenon, has recently entered a new chapter following the acquisition of Niantic’s games division by Scopely—the developer behind hits like Monopoly Go!—in a landmark $3.5 billion deal.
This significant transaction has prompted intense discussion among the dedicated Pokémon GO community, particularly regarding how the change in ownership could affect the mobile title’s gameplay experience and monetization approach.
Since its original launch in July 2016, Pokémon GO has revolutionized the mobile gaming landscape, blending augmented reality with the beloved Pokémon franchise.
With over a billion downloads worldwide and strong positioning on both iOS and Android platforms, the game has consistently excelled in driving real-world engagement and fostering community events, helping Niantic achieve global recognition.
After news of the Scopely acquisition, many players voiced concern about whether Pokémon GO would follow the trend of other mobile games by introducing intrusive advertisements or implementing playtime restrictions that require microtransactions to overcome.
Addressing these concerns in a recent interview with Polygon, Pokémon GO’s senior product director, Michael Steranka, provided clear reassurance to fans.
Steranka stated, "The key message for our players is that these fears are unfounded—intrusive ads and restrictive limits will not be coming to Pokémon GO, now or at any point in the future.
Scopely fully understands what makes this title a global success, and any attempt to alter the core experience would be ill-advised.
Our approach will not change; there will be no obtrusive ad systems or forced gameplay restrictions."
Steranka highlighted that Scopely, now overseeing the game’s operations, is committed to maintaining the staff continuity and creative independence that have defined Pokémon GO’s development thus far.
"Scopely’s leadership has made it a priority to ensure the transition is seamless, preserving the talented team behind GO.
Maintaining the operational excellence and community-focused design at the heart of Pokémon GO remains our shared goal.
I wouldn’t continue leading this project if I couldn't work alongside the outstanding people who have contributed since its inception."
The partnership with Scopely is seen by both companies as an opportunity to strengthen Pokémon GO’s position in the competitive mobile market, while staying true to the title’s unique player-driven gameplay.
Moving forward, Niantic, together with Scopely and The Pokémon Company, aims to deliver updates and community events without compromising the trusted, ad-free environment that players expect.
As one of Nintendo’s flagship mobile experiences, Pokémon GO’s commitment to its original vision sets an industry benchmark for user experience.
As of March 2025, both Niantic and Scopely have publicly affirmed their dedication to a player-first philosophy, securing Pokémon GO’s future as a thriving, accessible, and uninterrupted adventure on mobile devices.
