Tag: Niantic

  • New AR Game from Metal Gear Creator & Pokémon Go Developers

    New AR Game from Metal Gear Creator & Pokémon Go Developers

    Key Takeaways

    1. Hideo Kojima celebrates the 10th anniversary of Kojima Productions with a new AR game titled “A New Dawn” in partnership with Niantic.
    2. The game features players using AR glasses to explore real-world environments, suggesting potential gameplay without smartphones.
    3. The collaboration aims to merge Kojima’s storytelling with Niantic’s geospatial AI, likely incorporating location-based features.
    4. The game’s concept is likened to “Death Stranding in the real world,” potentially focusing on player connections and interactions.
    5. Specific gameplay details and a release date for “A New Dawn” have not yet been disclosed.


    Hideo Kojima, known for his work on the beloved Death Stranding and Metal Gear series, is seen as a major influence in the gaming world. After parting ways with Konami, the 60-year-old launched his own studio, Kojima Productions, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, Kojima has revealed a new augmented reality (AR) game in partnership with Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO.

    A Glimpse of A New Dawn

    The initial trailer, which is currently titled A New Dawn, features players utilizing AR glasses to navigate real-world settings including urban areas, beaches, and deserts. Players can engage with virtual components that seem connected to tangible objects. Some scenes suggest that gameplay may occur without the need for a smartphone, and one character can be seen wearing glasses that look similar to AR devices like the Meta Ray-Ban Display. However, it’s still uncertain whether AR glasses will be officially supported in the game.

    Merging Storytelling with Technology

    According to the Niantic Spatial blog, this collaboration is framed as a technological partnership aimed at blending Kojima’s narrative style with Niantic’s geospatial AI, effectively bringing stories to life in real-world environments. While specific gameplay details of A New Dawn are still a mystery, Niantic’s participation indicates that location-based features—akin to those found in Pokémon GO or Ingress—are likely to be a fundamental aspect.

    Speculation on Gameplay and Interaction

    Insider Gaming refers to the concept as “Death Stranding in the real world.” If A New Dawn goes in this direction, it may expand beyond mere location exploration or completing tasks, instead focusing on fostering connections among players. The enigmatic second character shown at the end of the trailer adds to this theory. As of now, clear information regarding gameplay mechanics and a release date is still not available.

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  • Pokemon Go Developer Sold to Saudi-Owned Scopely

    Pokemon Go Developer Sold to Saudi-Owned Scopely

    Key Takeaways

    1. Niantic is selling its video game division to Scopely for $3.5 billion.
    2. CEO John Hanke believes the deal will ensure ongoing support for Niantic’s games.
    3. The agreement includes rights to popular games like Pokémon Go and Pikmin Bloom, along with Niantic’s development team.
    4. Despite challenges, Niantic generated $1 billion in revenue last year.
    5. The sale is pending approval from regulatory bodies.


    Niantic is getting ready to cash in.

    The company known for Pokémon Go and various augmented reality (AR) games, many of which are based on established video game franchises, has announced a deal to transfer its video game division to Scopely, a mobile app developer located in Saudi Arabia. The transaction is valued at a whopping $3.5 billion. This potential sale had been hinted at weeks ago but has now been officially confirmed.

    CEO’s Insight on the Future

    John Hanke, Niantic’s CEO, shared his thoughts about the agreement:

    “Our games have always served as a way to bring folks together and spark a sense of adventure, and I truly believe they will keep doing just that under Scopely’s wing. This collaboration is a win for our players and offers the best path to ensure our games receive the ongoing support and funding they need to be ‘forever games’ that last for future players.”

    What’s Included in the Deal

    Along with the rights to Niantic’s popular games, which comprise Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now, Scopely will integrate Niantic’s development team into its own staff.

    Pokémon Go had a strong start but has faced challenges in staying relevant over the years. Niantic attempted to replicate its success with AR games based on other video game franchises, but none matched the massive appeal of Pokémon Go. However, Niantic still appears to be doing well financially; Scopely reported that Niantic generated $1 billion in revenue last year.

    Regulatory Approval Needed

    The sale of Niantic is still pending approval from regulatory bodies.

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  • Niantic May Sell Pokémon Go Division for $3.5 Billion

    Niantic May Sell Pokémon Go Division for $3.5 Billion

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pokémon Go reached over 147 million monthly active users by May 2018 and achieved one billion downloads by 2019.
    2. The game generated more than $6 billion in revenue for Niantic by 2020.
    3. Niantic is rumored to be negotiating a sale of its video game division to Scopely for at least $3.5 billion.
    4. Scopely was acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion and has a portfolio of popular games.
    5. Pokémon Go Plus+ is a Bluetooth device that tracks sleep and performs functions like spinning PokéStops and throwing Poké Balls, currently priced at $61.92 on Amazon.


    Released in July 2016, Pokémon Go quickly gained popularity, reaching over 147 million monthly active users by May 2018. Less than a year after that, it achieved a remarkable milestone of one billion downloads worldwide. By 2020, this augmented reality sensation had generated more than $6 billion in revenue for its publisher, Niantic. Now, there are rumors that Niantic might sell its video game division to Saudi-owned Scopely, with a hefty price tag of at least $3.5 billion.

    Ongoing Negotiations

    Sources close to Niantic, who chose to remain anonymous, shared with Bloomberg that discussions about the sale are still in progress. They mentioned that Pokémon Go will likely be part of the acquisition, but did not provide any details on Niantic’s other successful augmented reality game, Ingress. Launched in late 2013, Ingress celebrated reaching 20 million downloads by November 2018. Once the deal gets final approval, it will be made public, though this process is expected to take a few weeks.

    Scopely’s Recent Acquisitions

    The company looking to buy Niantic, Scopely, was itself acquired by Savvy Games Group in April 2023 for $4.9 billion. Prior to that, Savvy Games Group had purchased ESL and FACEIT in 2022, with those deals totaling around $1.5 billion. Scopely’s portfolio includes popular titles such as Monopoly Go, The Walking Dead: Road to Survival, and Marvel Strike Force, among others.

    Pokémon Go Plus+

    Besides being a standalone mobile game, Pokémon Go has also led to the creation of the Pokémon Go Plus+, a Bluetooth device designed to track sleep. Its main functions, however, are to automatically spin PokéStops and throw Poké Balls. This device is currently available on Amazon for $61.92.

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