Niantic, the company behind popular games like Pokémon GO, is making significant changes to its future direction. After nearly a decade of growth, the company is set on a bold new course.
Niantic was spun out from Google in 2015 with a vision to use technology to overlay the world with rich digital experiences. The goal was to inspire people to explore their surroundings and foster real-world connections. Since then, more than 100 million people play Niantic’s games annually, with over a billion friend connections made across the world.
The company has grown in two complementary paths: one focused on creating games and bringing them to the world, and the other dedicated to advancing augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and geospatial technology. The rapid progress in AI reinforces the belief in the future of geospatial computing.
To achieve its goals, Niantic is making two major announcements. First, it has reached an agreement for Scopely to acquire Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and other experiences, valued at approximately $3.85 billion for Niantic equity holders. This partnership ensures that Niantic’s games have the long-term support needed to be “forever games” that will endure for future generations.
Second, Niantic is spinning off its pioneering geospatial AI business into a new company, Niantic Spatial Inc., with $250 million in funding. Led by John Hanke, Niantic Spatial aims to accelerate and scale rapidly and lead the future of geospatial AI by building spatial intelligence that helps people better understand, navigate, and engage with the physical world.
The spin-off is part of the Niantic Spatial Platform, a comprehensive suite integrating spatial computing, Extended Reality, Geographic Information Systems, and Artificial Intelligence. The platform enhances various industries by enabling precise tracking, AR-guided navigation, and real-time 3D spatial visualization.
Source: https://nianticlabs.com/news/niantic-next-chapter