Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is acquiring Niantic’s gaming division, including Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion.

The deal expands Saudi Arabia’s push into gaming, with Niantic joining Scopely, a company PIF bought for $4.9 billion in 2023. 

Pokémon Go, still a top-grossing game with 30 million monthly players, will continue evolving under its current team, the BBC has reported.

PIF, controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has invested heavily in gaming, eSports, and global sports, amid ongoing human rights concerns.

Written by B.C. Begley