What if Pokémon Go were to belong to Saudi Arabia? This is the very likely scenario that could happen in the coming months (and even weeks). Because yes, according to initial information from Bloomberg, Niantic has begun negotiations with the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund, through its subsidiary Savvy Games Group and the firm Scopely. The idea would be to sell Niantic's gaming section for the cosy sum of $3.5 billion.
Niantic games, soon to Saudi Arabia?
As we know, Saudi Arabia wants to become a major player in the video game industry and could well invest massively in the years (and months) to come. Recently, Saudi Arabia has reportedly already invested in Ubisoft's capital to finance a DLC for Assassin's Creed Mirage.
Today, Bloomberg reports that Niantic and Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund are in negotiations to buy Niantic's gaming subsidiary for $3.5 billion. This subsidiary includes major mobile games such as Pokémon Go, a Pikmin game and Monster Hunter. According to Bloomberg, the transaction could be completed in the coming weeks.
While a transaction could be validated in the coming weeks, Bloomberg claims that nothing is decided yet and that negotiations are not yet complete. Indeed, Pokémon Go may be the most downloaded mobile game In history, the studio's other productions have not had the same success and a Harry Potter game, Wizards Unite has completely closed down.
For its part, Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince, Mohammed benSalmane, are not the type to rush headlong. For several years, they have had significant shares in many structures such as Electronic Arts, Take Two Interactive or Activision and Embracer Group. It is certain that if this acquisition must be made, it would be carefully considered. Until Now, Niantic and Saudi Arabia were already in partnership, including a deal with subsidiary Savvy that helped the publisher expand into Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
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