Apptopia vs Niantic

The Apptopia MCP Server Is Here

Apptopia has launched a new MCP Server product, as indicated by the addition of 'Apptopia MCP Server NEW' to the Products menu and a featured article titled 'The Apptopia MCP Server Is Here'.

Tech Hiring Prioritizes Experience Over Skills; Shift Toward AI Data Roles

A16z's newsletter 'Chart of the Week' analyzes several tech trends based on recent data. It reports that tech job postings since January 2025 show an increased preference for experienced workers and a corresponding decrease in the number of skills required, suggesting an AI-driven shift. This trend is most pronounced in data and systems roles. The newsletter also observes that social media usage is rising, particularly among younger users, but its share of mobile screen time is declining, partially due to increased time on YouTube. Netflix's US users and viewing time have declined over three years, with a 20% drop in YouTube users who also use Netflix. Cybersecurity threats are escalating: the zero-day rate has quadrupled since 2020, and data center construction spending has surged, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

• Tech job postings show a 5-10% increase in preferred years of experience and a corresponding drop in preferred skills since January 2025.
• Data and systems jobs show the largest premium for experience.
• Netflix weekly users and time spent in the US have dropped ~15% and 30% respectively over the past 3+ years.

GenAI Chatbots: July 2026 Apptopia Data Brief, 86% of People Use Just One Chatbot

GenAI Chatbots: July 2026 Apptopia Data Brief, 86% of People Use Just One Chatbot

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.