A new report has emerged which claims that Niantic, the developer behind hit games like Pokemon Go and Monster Hunter Now, is in talks to sell its gaming business to a company backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
According to a Bloomberg article (which, as ever, cites the old "several people familiar with the discussions" chestnut), a deal between Niantic and the PIF-backed Scopely Inc "could be announced in coming weeks".
Bloomberg reporters Michelle Davis and Cecilia D'Anastasio say that the deal could be worth "about $3.5 billion", and that the agreement between Niantic and Scopely would include Pokemon Go as well as other games developed by the studio.
However, Davis and D'Anastasio also emphasize that "there's no assurance an agreement will be reached", so it's entirely possible Niantic will remain independent.
If the deal does go through, Niantic will become one of many video game pies in which the Saudi PIF has its fingers. Others include Nintendo, of which the PIF is now the largest external shareholder, as well as Capcom and King of Fighters studio SNK.
Additionally, rumors are currently swirling that new Assassin's Creed Mirage DLC is on the way courtesy of Saudi PIF funding sent Ubisoft's way, although Ubisoft itself declined to comment on these rumors back in late January.
As Bloomberg points out, while Pokemon Go remains a major hit for Niantic, the company's other games have had some trouble replicating that success. Niantic canceled four in-development projects and laid off a number of staff back in 2022.
Whether or not operations will change if the deal goes through remains to be seen, but it's likely that, at least at first, Niantic will continue to operate just as it always has.
Of course, we'll have to wait and see what happens; the deal is far from confirmed, after all. Stay tuned for more on this and all other things Niantic-related.
