Scopely has officially rebranded the team behind Pokémon GO, marking the end of the Niantic name for the studio that created one of the biggest mobile games of all time. Going forward, the developer will operate under the name Scopely Explore, reflecting its place within the Scopely family following last year’s acquisition.
The change is purely a branding update, meaning players can continue enjoying Pokémon GO and the studio’s other games without any gameplay disruptions.
A New Name After a Major Acquisition
Scopely acquired Niantic’s gaming business in March 2025 in a deal reportedly worth $3.5 billion. Rather than operating as a separate company, Scopely Explore will function as an internal development team focused on location-based and real-world gaming experiences.
According to the company, the new name better represents its goal of encouraging players to explore the world around them through its games.
The updated branding will gradually appear across Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now over the coming weeks, including a new studio logo.
Pokémon GO Continues to Thrive
Despite launching nearly a decade ago, Pokémon GO remains one of the world’s most successful mobile games.
Released in the summer of 2016, the augmented reality phenomenon reached nearly 500 million downloads and generated approximately $6 billion in net revenue by 2020. While its player base has naturally declined from its record-breaking launch period, the game still attracts around five million daily active players, making it one of the most-played mobile titles today.
Plenty of Events on the Horizon
The rebrand arrives during a busy period for Pokémon GO.
The game recently celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 6 with a special Gimmighoul variant, while the current Forever Forward season continues through September 8.
Players also have several major events to look forward to:
- Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global takes place on July 11–12, featuring Mewtwo and Zeraora.
- A Rayquaza event begins on July 25, introducing a Meteorite item used for Mega Evolution.
- A new in-game calendar is being added to help players keep track of upcoming events.
- The Pokémon World Championships 1v1 competition runs from August 28–30.
- Trainers will vote during Community Day on August 16, choosing between Tadbulb, Nickit, Fidough, or Yamper as the featured Pokémon.
Business Name Changes, Adventure Continues
While longtime fans may need some time to adjust to the new Scopely Explore name, the studio has made it clear that the change is about identity rather than direction. Development will continue uninterrupted, with Pokémon GO and its sister titles remaining focused on outdoor exploration, live events, and regular content updates.
