Latest news with #NianticSpatial
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
8th Wall and HTC VIVERSE Announce 'Forge the Future' Global Game Jam
BUSINESS WIRE)--Niantic Spatial's 8th Wall and HTC's VIVERSE today announced the launch of the Forge the Future: 8th Wall x VIVERSE Game Jam, an all-new global competition challenging developers, creators, and students to build the next generation of cross-platform games using Niantic Studio on 8th Wall. A New Era for Game Creators Running from May 12, 2025, through June 30, 2025, 'Forge the Future' marks the first time Niantic has teamed up with a global content distribution partner to offer creators not only funding but also direct entry into the VIVERSE Creator Program*. Top teams will gain unprecedented visibility and support to bring their projects to a worldwide audience. 'We're thrilled to empower the next generation of creators with the tools, funding, and platform to shape the future of gaming,' said Joel Udwin, Director of Product at Niantic Spatial. 'Partnering with VIVERSE opens the door for developers to reach millions and push the boundaries of what's possible in real-world, cross-platform games.' VIVERSE's Creator Program supports 3D content creators globally, partnering with creators across various industries, including interactive narratives, games, education, e-commerce, and more. The top three winners of the 'Forge the Future' competition will gain immediate access to the program to bring their 8th Wall game to the platform. 'Niantic is a leader in developing 3D immersive worlds and game tools that are changing how the world views VR/AR,' said Andranik Aslanyan, Head of Growth, HTC VIVERSE. 'Collaborating with 8th Wall is an exciting step forward to supporting creators with their favorite tools and platform, all to grow the 3D creator community.' Key highlights of the Forge the Future Game Jam include: Powerful Tools, No Cost to Join: Build using Niantic Studio on 8th Wall for free during the Game Jam. Global Opportunity: Open to developers, studios, students, artists, and dreamers around the world. Major Prizes: $10,000 for 1st place, $6,000 for 2nd place, $4,000 for 3rd place through the VIVERSE Creator Program, plus multiple $2,000 and $1,000 category prizes. Direct Access: Winners receive invitations to the prestigious VIVERSE Creator Program. Workshops & Mentoring: Participants will have access to ideation support, technical 1:1s, and exclusive industry events throughout the Game Jam. How to Participate Registration is open now at and the first live Info Session kicks off on May 12 at 11am PT. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Residents of certain countries are excluded from participation; see official rules for details. *Terms and conditions apply About 8th Wall 8th Wall is Niantic Spatial's award-winning 3D & XR development platform that makes it possible to build interactive, immersive content that can be experienced on any device—no app required. 8th Wall supports billions of devices globally and has been used by developers, agencies and creative studios to create 3D/AR activations for brands across industry verticals including retail, food and beverage, travel and tourism, automotive, fashion, sports and entertainment. 8th Wall has powered WebAR experiences for top brands such as Nike, Porsche, Sony Pictures, Burger King, General Mills, British Gas, Heineken, McDonald's, Swiss Airlines, Toyota, Red Bull, Adidas, COACH and more. Learn more about 8th Wall at About VIVERSE VIVERSE is an open and user-centric 3D place that connects people from all walks of life to a boundless virtual world. We strive to empower as many people as possible to explore, work, and play in a safe environment. Every experience is unique, and your transactions and data are secure. VIVERSE provides an array of tools and services for individuals, creators, corporations, and developers to build and explore in this immersive space. Visit the VIVERSE website here:
Gulf Insider
14-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
‘Pokémon Go' Games Unit Sold to Saudi Group for $3.5 Billion
Saudi sovereign wealth fund-backed Scopely Inc. has agreed to buy Niantic Inc.'s gaming business, including the mobile hit Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion. Scopely, which is owned by a unit of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, will also acquire Pikmin Bloom and Monster Hunter Now from Niantic, along with the teams working on them, the Saudi company said in a statement on Wednesday, confirming an earlier Bloomberg News report. Niantic's games encourage players to go outside and explore their neighborhoods to receive in-game rewards. The Niantic games business generated more than $1 billion in revenue from 30 million monthly active users last year, Scopely said. Beyond the runaway success of Pokémon Go, many of Niantic's other games have struggled to gain traction or have shut down entirely. Scopely will not acquire Niantic's mapping technology business, which the company's Chief Executive Officer John Hanke will helm under the new name, Niantic Spatial. Using players' data, the company said in a press release, it will build mapping technology that 'captures the content of the world at a level of fidelity never before achieved' with applications in manufacturing, education, warehousing, logistics, tourism and more. Niantic Spatial is funded with $200 million from Niantic and $50 million from Scopely. Niantic's augmented-reality games, including Ingress Prime and Peridot, will stay with Niantic Spatial. Niantic was spun out of Alphabet Inc.'s Google in 2015. Hanke worked in satellite mapping before leading Google's Geo product division. Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's PIF, bought mobile gamemaker Scopely for $4.9 billion two years ago. Savvy was launched with $38 billion of funding to help transform Saudi Arabia into a video-games hub. Also read: Kuwait Bans New 'Call Of Duty' Game Featuring Saddam Hussein Source Gulf News
CairoScene
13-03-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi's Scopely Acquires Pokémon GO Creator's Game Division for $3.5B
The deal transfers Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now to Scopely, as Niantic pivots to geospatial AI technology. Mar 13, 2025 Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO, has sold its gaming division to Saudi-owned Scopely in a $3.5 billion transaction. The deal includes Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and supporting platforms such as Campfire and Wayfarer. As part of the agreement, Niantic will distribute an additional $350 million to its equity holders, bringing the total deal value to $3.85 billion. Following the sale, Niantic will transition into geospatial AI technology under a new company, Niantic Spatial, led by founder and CEO John Hanke. The newly formed entity will receive $250 million in funding, with $200 million from Niantic's balance sheet and $50 million from Scopely. Existing Niantic investors will remain shareholders in Niantic Spatial. Scopely, a mobile gaming company acquired by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group in 2023 for $4.9 billion, has committed to integrating Niantic's game development teams. Pokémon GO, which still boasts over 20 million weekly active players, will continue operating under Scopely's management. The deal follows Niantic's struggles to replicate Pokémon GO's success, leading to layoffs in 2022 and 2023 and the shutdown of projects like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to expand its gaming investments, with its Public Investment Fund (PIF) allocating nearly $38 billion to gaming-related initiatives. Through Savvy Games Group, the PIF has acquired stakes in Nintendo and other major gaming firms, positioning Saudi Arabia as a growing force in the global gaming industry.
Zawya
13-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
'Pokemon Go' maker Niantic to sell game division to Saudi-owned Scopely for $3.5bln
Niantic Labs said it would sell its video-game division to Saudi Arabia-owned Scopely for $3.5 billion, as the U.S. augmented reality firm shifts focus to geospatial technology after failing to recreate the success of its 2016 smash hit "Pokemon Go." The deal, announced on Wednesday, also advances Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become the "ultimate global hub" for gaming. The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, via Savvy Games, bought Scopely for $4.9 billion in 2023 as part of a broader push by the country to diversify beyond fossil fuels. Niantic said it would distribute an extra $350 million to its equity holders under the deal. It will also spin off its geospatial AI business into a new firm called Niantic Spatial, which will be led by Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke. Niantic Spatial will be funded with $250 million of capital - $200 million from Niantic's balance sheet and $50 million from Scopely. All of Niantic's original investors will also continue to be shareholders of Niantic Spatial. The move follows several tough years for Niantic. After "Pokemon Go" became one of the successful mobile games, the company struggled to replicate its success and had to lay off employees in 2022 and 2023. It also axed the "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" vide-game in 2022. For Saudi, already a growing hub for gaming and home to the Esports World Cup, the deal builds on a plan to invest nearly $38 billion in initiatives related to the industry through its Savvy Games Group. Savvy Games is a major investor in global video-game companies including Nintendo, in which it has a stake of around 7.54% after a small cut in its interest last year.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Pokemon Go' maker Niantic to sell game division to Saudi-owned Scopely for $3.5 billion
(Reuters) - Niantic Labs said it would sell its video-game division to Saudi Arabia-owned Scopely for $3.5 billion, as the U.S. augmented reality firm shifts focus to geospatial technology after failing to recreate the success of its 2016 smash hit "Pokemon Go." The deal, announced on Wednesday, also advances Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become the "ultimate global hub" for gaming. The kingdom's sovereign wealth fund, via Savvy Games, bought Scopely for $4.9 billion in 2023 as part of a broader push by the country to diversify beyond fossil fuels. Niantic said it would distribute an extra $350 million to its equity holders under the deal. It will also spin off its geospatial AI business into a new firm called Niantic Spatial, which will be led by Niantic founder and CEO John Hanke. Niantic Spatial will be funded with $250 million of capital - $200 million from Niantic's balance sheet and $50 million from Scopely. All of Niantic's original investors will also continue to be shareholders of Niantic Spatial. The move follows several tough years for Niantic. After "Pokemon Go" became one of the successful mobile games, the company struggled to replicate its success and had to lay off employees in 2022 and 2023. It also axed the "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" vide-game in 2022. For Saudi, already a growing hub for gaming and home to the Esports World Cup, the deal builds on a plan to invest nearly $38 billion in initiatives related to the industry through its Savvy Games Group. Savvy Games is a major investor in global video-game companies including Nintendo, in which it has a stake of around 7.54% after a small cut in its interest last year. Sign in to access your portfolio
