Hard to believe it’s already been a year since Scopely acquired the Niantic games business. I’ve spent some time reflecting on all the work that has happened since — both privately and on stage at #iicon alongside Ed Wu and Hemal Thaker — and one thing keeps standing out, as this feature shows: Beyond the headlines, and the numbers, it’s the people who make it all work. Let’s keep the momentum and milestones rolling.
🎥 » 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹 | 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘅 𝗡𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 One year after we welcomed the #Niantic games team, a few faces behind the deal reflected on our experiences, perspectives and momentum that followed. From preserving creative autonomy to building experiences that connect millions of players around the world, our teams are aligned on a shared mission to continue inspiring people to explore the world together.
So wonderful to see! Special place in my heart for both teams!
The people behind the work really do make all the difference, Tim O'Brien. Great to see that side of the journey highlighted.
The human element is exactly what dictates successful integrations. When scaling to a billion-dollar valuation pushes teams to their limits, cognitive capacity often fractures. Protecting the leadership's biological baseline ensures the momentum actually holds.
Exciting times! I have been watching this collaboration in truee amazement... The people-over-numbers point is the part most deal recaps skip, well said!
Scopely may have an exceptional opportunity to announce a massive partnership with Disney to revive the Spectrobes IP. This would grant Scopely exclusive, long-term rights to develop multiple games and franchises branching from Spectrobes. These could range from mobile titles akin to Pokémon GO to console and PC releases, whether they are story-driven adventures like Pokémon and Monster Hunter, or competitive multiplayer experiences like Palworld and Pokkén Tournament. Furthermore, the partnership would encompass Disney's investment in television (via Disney+) and cinematic adaptations of Spectrobes. This approach ensures a fully integrated and comprehensive revival, allowing the franchise to sustain itself through a diverse range of cross-platform entertainment content. Ultimately, this synergy will breathe new life into the IP and generate widespread popularity, significantly boosting the competitive edge of its games. Brian Ward Walter Driver Javier Ferreira Ankur Bulsara Tim O'Brien