Pokémon GO Developer Niantic Renamed to Scopely Explore

As Pokémon GO heads into its 10th anniversary, the development studio Niantic has been renamed Scopely Explore as part of its parent company Scopely’s umbrella.

Scopely announced the studio’s new name as part of a blog post. “The name reflects a mission that has guided these teams from the very beginning,” the company says. “Over the coming weeks, you will see the Niantic name begin to evolve across platforms to Scopely Explore.”

Pokémon GO, alongside Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and companion apps like Wayfarer, all focus on player exploration and community interactions. “Exploration sits at the heart of these games and experiences, and the communities they serve. Whether encouraging players to discover new places, connect with others, or experience the world in new ways, this team has always been united by a belief that there is more to explore.”

Scopely Explore is not being treated as a separate company or entity in any way. Operations are to continue as normal, as they did under the Niantic studio name. Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now remain to be developed and supported by the core team now under Scopely Explore.

This week, Pokémon GO celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special broadcast. During the live stream, notable content creators like Extraemily and Mystic7 will celebrate with the community, looking back on the past decade. Things are being kept close to the chest regarding what’ll be shown during the broadcast. “Tune in and celebrate together,” the company encourages the community. Broadcast start time is still undetermined, but updates will be provided on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).