Recently, it was announced that Scopely, a mobile publisher based in Saudi Arabia, acquired Niantic’s gaming division for a staggering $3.5 billion. While rumors surrounding this shift circulated a month prior, the sale was officially revealed in March. Sadly, there’s some troubling news about what remains of the organization, now rebranded as Niantic Spatial.
It has been officially reported that Niantic will lay off a minimum of 68 staff members. This transition will not be immediate, as those affected will continue their roles until May 20th. Niantic’s CEO, John Hanke, shared in an internal communication that the layoffs are part of a move to “function as a startup organization, with a clear vision for the future.” He further noted that “certain positions will become redundant as we shift our focus.”
Hanke elaborated, indicating that “making these decisions is always difficult; they do not reflect on the performance of the individuals involved, and we recognize the significant impact this has on their lives. We hold immense gratitude for the skilled individuals who have contributed to our success and will assist them during their transition to new roles.”