Niantic vs Scopely

Pokémon Go regional campaigns and Go Fest 2026

Pokémon Go is running UK-specific campaigns in 2026, including a Summer Quest activation in Shoreditch and a partnership with the National Trust across more than 140 sites. Jack Wilcock, Pokémon Go head of EMEA marketing, describes how localised Timed Research, creator meet-and-greets, and in-person activations drive community engagement. Go Fest 2026 ran city events in Tokyo, Chicago and Copenhagen (with earlier access to Mythical Zeraora for ticket holders) followed by the first-ever free Go Fest: Global. Scopely — which acquired Niantic’s games business last year — and The Pokémon Company International collaborate on campaign design. AppMagic estimates the free global event coincided with Pokémon Go’s highest monthly revenue in at least four years.

• Scopely acquired Niantic's licensed games business last year in a $3.5 billion deal.
• Pokémon Go partnered with the National Trust for a UK campaign covering more than 140 sites, originally running July 18–September 6 and extended to December 31, 2026.
• Pokémon Go ran a UK-exclusive Summer Quest activation in Shoreditch with local Timed Research, pop-up coffee redemption and creator meet-and-greets.

Scopely restructures Stumble Guys team

Scopely reorganised the team supporting its game Stumble Guys after a performance review, saying the changes could impact a limited number of roles. The company indicated it has transitioned some affected employees to other parts of the business and is supporting those who leave. Public posts from employees reported departures, including one senior producer who said they were laid off after returning from paternity leave. The restructuring follows Scopely's recent renaming of the Niantic games business it acquired to 'Scopely Explore.'

• Scopely reorganised the team supporting the game Stumble Guys following a review of the game's performance.
• The company said the reorganisation could impact a limited number of roles and that some impacted employees have been moved to other parts of the business.
• Several employees publicly announced their departures; one senior producer said they were laid off after returning from paternity leave.

Niantic Spatial Closes New Zealand Office

Niantic Spatial is closing its Aotearoa (New Zealand) office as it shifts focus away from games toward enterprise markets. Creative director James Everett confirmed the closure in a LinkedIn post, which the company said has resulted in an undisclosed number of layoffs; Everett indicated at least ten employees were laid off. Niantic Spatial was formed after Niantic Inc sold its licensed games business to Scopely in 2025 and the spinout previously secured $250 million to develop a large AI-powered geospatial model for use cases such as autonomous systems and AR glasses. The company continues to operate the AR title Ingress and discontinued Peridot earlier this year.

• Niantic Spatial is shutting down its office in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
• Creative director James Everett confirmed the closure in a LinkedIn post; at least 10 employees were indicated as laid off.
• Niantic Inc sold its licensed video game business to Scopely for $3.5 billion in 2025, leading to the creation of Niantic Spatial.

Scopely News: MONOPOLY GO! Monster Mash season with KPop Demon Hunters and Ghostbusters collaboration

Scopely's news page highlights the launch of MONOPOLY GO!'s new Monster Mash season featuring collaborations with KPop Demon Hunters and Ghostbusters, along with other updates including a Pokémon-ESA partnership and Star Trek Fleet Command contest.

Scopely News: Pokémon partnership with ESA, Monster Hunter Now anniversary, and more

Scopely's news page now features multiple press mentions including a new Pokémon partnership with the European Space Agency sending Pikachu to the ISS, Monster Hunter Now's three-year anniversary, and a Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators recognition.

Brian Ward asked to remain as Savvy Games Group advisor

Brian Ward, the founding CEO of Savvy Games Group, has been asked to stay on as an advisor following his departure earlier this month. Ward, who led the Saudi gaming entity for five years, stated on LinkedIn that the company is entering a new phase of transformational growth and is no longer a startup. He expressed his willingness to continue supporting Savvy's mandate and Saudi Arabia's national games strategy, though it remains unclear if he has accepted the advisory role. During his tenure, Ward oversaw Savvy's $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely in 2023 and expanded the company's global games and esports portfolio. PocketGamer.biz has reached out to Savvy for confirmation on the advisory position.

• Brian Ward has been asked to remain as an advisor to Savvy Games Group after stepping down as CEO.
• Ward served as Savvy's founding CEO for five years, starting in 2021.
• Savvy Games Group's $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely occurred in 2023 under Ward's leadership.