Scopely is a global game publisher and developer that has gone from a small startup in 2011 to one of the top-earning companies in the industry. Behind billion-dollar hits like MONOPOLY GO! and Stumble Guys, the company has mastered the art of building games that keep players coming back for years.
In this article, we’ll break down Scopely’s rise, its ownership and valuation, the biggest games in its portfolio, influence on the gaming industry, and what’s next after its massive deal to acquire Niantic’s games business, including Pokémon GO.
What Is Scopely?
Scopely is a global mobile and cross-platform game company founded in 2011, with a mission to “inspire play, every day.” The company has built its reputation on combining proprietary technology, such as its Playgami platform, with deep expertise in live operations, analytics, marketing, and publishing.
In its early years, Scopely focused on free-to-play mobile experiences, quickly rising through the ranks by developing and publishing successful casual and midcore titles.
Strategic acquisitions played a key role in its growth, including DIGIT Game Studios in 2019, which brought Star Trek™ Fleet Command into its portfolio, and FoxNext Games LA in 2020, adding MARVEL Strike Force.
By 2024, Scopely had established itself as one of the top-grossing mobile game companies worldwide. Its portfolio now spans multiple genres, from the casual dominance of MONOPOLY GO! to the party battle royale success of Stumble Guys, and midcore mainstays like Star Trek™ Fleet Command. The company’s ability to scale and sustain its titles through robust live-ops has made it a benchmark for longevity in a hit-driven market.
Why Scopely Matters
Scopely’s influence extends beyond its individual successes.
It’s consistently ranked among the highest-earning publishers globally. Its approach – pairing strong IP partnerships with a disciplined live-ops model – has not only driven record-breaking releases but also set performance standards in both casual and midcore segments.
For competitors, Scopely demonstrates how combining strategic acquisitions, proprietary tech, and live-ops mastery can deliver sustained market leadership. For aspiring developers and marketers, it’s a case study in how to launch and scale games in today’s hyper-competitive environment.
Who Is the Owner of Scopely?
Scopely was founded in 2011 by Walter Driver and Ankur Bulsara, with Driver continuing to serve as co-CEO alongside Javier Ferreira. Under their leadership, Scopely evolved from a small mobile publisher into a multi-billion-dollar global games business.
In April 2023, Scopely was acquired by Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, for $4.9 billion.
The acquisition was one of the largest ever in the mobile gaming sector and positioned Scopely as a key pillar in Savvy’s push to become a global gaming powerhouse.
Before the Savvy acquisition, Scopely had secured several major funding rounds:
- 2019–2020 Series D: Raised a total of $400 million, valuing the company at around $1.9 billion.
- 2020 Series E: Raised $340 million at a $3.3 billion valuation.
Where Is Scopely Located?
Scopely’s headquarters are in Culver City, California, in a 61,000-square-foot office space completed in 2022. This location serves as the company’s primary base for leadership, publishing operations, and core development teams.
While Culver City is the corporate hub, Scopely operates as a globally distributed company. Its largest office is in Barcelona, Spain, which houses significant development and live-ops teams. Additional offices and studios are located in Dublin, Tokyo, and other key markets, supported by partnerships with external studios around the world.
This international footprint allows Scopely to operate and support live games 24/7, maintain close ties to regional player communities, and access a global talent pool.
Is Scopely Publicly Traded?
No – Scopely is a privately held company.
Since April 2023, it has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, which itself is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Scopely has never been listed on a public stock exchange, and its financial disclosures are limited to information shared directly by the company or its parent organization.
Scopely Valuation
Scopely’s valuation has grown steadily alongside its revenue and portfolio expansion:
- 2020 Series E Funding – Raised $340 million at a $3.3 billion valuation. This round followed the success of Star Trek™ Fleet Command and MARVEL Strike Force, solidifying Scopely as a top-tier mobile publisher.
- 2023 Acquisition by Savvy Games Group – Valued at $4.9 billion, marking one of the largest acquisitions in mobile gaming history. The deal reflected both the company’s strong existing portfolio and its potential for further growth under Savvy’s ownership.
Given the performance of MONOPOLY GO! and the pending acquisition of Niantic’s game portfolio – including Pokémon GO – industry analysts expect Scopely’s strategic value to continue climbing in the coming years.
What Is Scopely Known For?
Scopely is recognized as one of the most successful mobile and cross-platform game companies of the past decade, with a track record of creating and operating games that sustain long-term engagement and revenue.
The company is especially known for mastering the free-to-play model, blending strong licensed IP with proprietary technology and live-ops expertise to keep games relevant for years after launch.
Its portfolio has delivered record-breaking revenue milestones, including some of the fastest-growing titles in mobile gaming history. Scopely generated over billions in lifetime revenue, placing it among the highest-earning publishers in the world.
Beyond revenue, Scopely has influenced the way major IP holders approach mobile games. By building deep partnerships with brands like Hasbro, Marvel, and Paramount, it demonstrated how to translate well-known franchises into sustainable, high-performing mobile experiences. This approach has inspired both established publishers and emerging developers to invest more heavily in IP-driven, live-ops-heavy strategies.
Scopely Games List
Scopely operates a diverse portfolio spanning casual, midcore, and cross-platform titles, combining original concepts with licensed IP. While the lineup evolves as new games launch and older ones sunset, the current portfolio includes:
- MONOPOLY GO! – A record-breaking casual board game adaptation created in partnership with Hasbro.
- Stumble Guys – A massively multiplayer party battle royale acquired from Kitka Games in 2022, now expanded to mobile and console.
- Star Trek™ Fleet Command – A midcore strategy MMO developed by DIGIT Game Studios and acquired through Scopely’s 2019 purchase of the studio.
- MARVEL Strike Force – A squad-based RPG acquired via the 2020 FoxNext Games LA acquisition from Disney.
- Tiki Solitaire TriPeaks – A popular casual solitaire title.
- Yahtzee With Buddies and Dice With Buddies – Digital adaptations of the classic dice game, also in partnership with Hasbro.
- Scrabble GO / PlayScrabble.com – Digital versions of the classic word game under license.
- Looney Tunes World of Mayhem – A turn-based battle RPG featuring Warner Bros. characters.
- WWE Champions – A match-3 puzzle RPG with WWE Superstars.
- Wheel of Fortune – Mobile adaptation of the long-running TV game show.
- Bingo Bash, Temple Run: Puzzle Adventure, Garden Joy, and Grand Casino – Additional casual and puzzle titles supporting the company’s broader portfolio strategy.
This mix of genres and IP allows Scopely to maintain a balanced revenue profile, reducing dependence on any single title and enabling strong cross-promotion across its games.
What Games Does Scopely Own? / What Games Are Made by Scopely?
Scopely’s portfolio is a combination of games it has developed internally and titles it acquired through strategic studio or IP purchases.
Original and Internally Developed Titles
- MONOPOLY GO! – Developed and published by Scopely in partnership with Hasbro.
- Yahtzee With Buddies and Dice With Buddies – Built in-house under license from Hasbro.
- Wheel of Fortune – Mobile adaptation created under license, operated by Scopely.
- Bingo Bash, Garden Joy, Grand Casino, and several puzzle/casual games launched from internal teams.
Acquired Titles & Studios
- Stumble Guys – Acquired from Kitka Games in September 2022; since expanded with new content and console versions.
- Star Trek™ Fleet Command – Gained through the 2019 acquisition of DIGIT Game Studios.
- MARVEL Strike Force – Acquired in 2020 via the purchase of FoxNext Games LA from Disney.
- Looney Tunes World of Mayhem – Part of the FoxNext deal, developed by Aquiris Game Studio and published by Scopely.
- Scrabble GO / PlayScrabble.com – Licensed from Hasbro, acquired as part of Scopely’s word game portfolio expansion.
This mix of internally created IP and acquired franchises allows Scopely to scale rapidly, diversify genres, and enter markets where it may not have had in-house expertise.
When Did Scopely Buy Stumble Guys?
Scopely acquired Stumble Guys from Finnish developer Kitka Games on September 8, 2022. The deal brought one of the most popular mobile party battle royale games under Scopely’s umbrella, expanding its reach into the rapidly growing “social competition” space. Since the acquisition, Scopely has introduced regular content updates, new modes, and expanded the title to consoles to broaden its audience.
When Did Scopely Buy Pokémon GO?
On March 12, 2025, Scopely announced it would acquire Niantic’s games business for $3.5 billion, pending regulatory approvals. The acquisition includes Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, as well as Niantic’s social platform Campfire and location data service Wayfarer. This move represents one of the largest deals in mobile gaming history and positions Scopely as a major player in location-based AR gaming.
How Much Money Does Scopely Make?
Scopely has surpassed $10 billion in lifetime revenue across its portfolio as of early 2025, making it one of the highest-earning mobile game companies in the world.
This milestone reflects both internally developed games and acquired franchises that have sustained long-term earnings through continuous live-ops.
Major Game-Level Revenue
- Pokémon GO – Over $6 billion lifetime revenue (pre-acquisition, as reported for Niantic’s ownership).
- MONOPOLY GO! – ~$4.1 billion since launch in June 2022.
- MARVEL Strike Force – ~$837 million since launch in November 2017.
- Star Trek™ Fleet Command – ~$697 million since launch in September 2018.
- Tiki Solitaire TriPeaks – ~$591 million since launch in July 2013.
- Yahtzee With Buddies Dice – ~$567 million since launch in March 2015.
These figures highlight Scopely’s ability to operate multiple high-revenue titles simultaneously, across different genres and audience segments. MONOPOLY GO! in particular stands out as one of the fastest-growing mobile games ever, reaching $2 billion in just 10 months and $3 billion within 16 months.
Monetization Strategy
Scopely’s revenue success comes from a free-to-play model built around deep live operations and strong IP partnerships. The company doesn’t just launch games – it builds long-term revenue engines through a combination of content cadence, player retention, and diversified monetization streams.
1. Live Operations at Scale
Scopely’s portfolio is supported by robust live-ops teams that run regular events, seasonal updates, and time-limited content. These updates drive recurring engagement, encourage in-game spending, and extend the lifespan of titles well beyond typical mobile game cycles.
Games like Star Trek™ Fleet Command and MARVEL Strike Force have remained top earners for years thanks to this approach.
2. High-Value IP Partnerships
By securing globally recognized brands like Hasbro, Marvel, Paramount/Star Trek, and now Pokémon, Scopely taps into massive built-in audiences. This reduces acquisition costs, strengthens player trust, and increases the likelihood of long-term retention.
3. Event-Driven Monetization
Scopely’s games often feature themed events tied to cultural moments, holidays, or franchise lore. These events are paired with exclusive rewards or limited-time offers, creating urgency and boosting in-game purchases.
4. Balanced Monetization Mix
While in-app purchases (IAP) are a major revenue driver, especially in titles like MONOPOLY GO! – ad monetization also plays a role in certain casual games. This hybrid approach ensures steady earnings across different player segments, from high spenders to ad-engaged users.
5. Efficient User Acquisition
For MONOPOLY GO!, Scopely reported that less than 25% of its revenue was spent on user acquisition during its record growth phase, underscoring the role of virality, organic installs, and strong word-of-mouth.
This combination of live-ops mastery, brand power, and efficient scaling is the foundation of Scopely’s $10B+ lifetime revenue achievement.
Marketing Strategy
Scopely’s marketing approach blends data-driven user acquisition with brand-driven campaigns that amplify reach beyond traditional mobile advertising. The goal is to build long-term player bases while maximizing return on ad spend (ROAS).
1. Performance Marketing & Creative Testing
Scopely invests heavily in performance marketing, running continuous A/B tests on ad creatives, targeting, and placements. By rapidly iterating on video ads, playable creatives, and influencer-led campaigns, the company identifies and scales the most effective acquisition channels.
2. Leveraging Big IP for Awareness
Licensed IP like MONOPOLY, Marvel, Star Trek, and Pokémon bring instant brand recognition. This allows Scopely to run campaigns that resonate globally from day one, reducing the cost per install and increasing conversion rates.
3. Event-Based Acquisition Pushes
Scopely times major UA spikes around significant in-game events, seasonal content, or feature drops. This alignment ensures that new users enter the game during moments of high engagement, improving early retention and monetization potential.
4. Multi-Platform Expansion
Titles like Stumble Guys have expanded to consoles and PC, broadening reach and cross-promoting between platforms. This strategy increases total addressable market and creates new acquisition channels beyond mobile app stores.
5. Organic Growth Through Social & Community
Scopely invests in community management, social content, and creator partnerships to foster organic growth. For Stumble Guys, user-generated content and community tournaments have been key drivers of virality.
6. Cross-Promotion Within the Portfolio
With millions of daily active users across its games, Scopely uses in-game cross-promotion to launch and boost new titles. This ecosystem approach reduces reliance on paid UA alone.
Scopely Layoffs
While Scopely has generally avoided large-scale layoffs, there have been targeted reductions in recent years. In February 2024, the company reportedly made cuts tied to the team behind Kingdom Maker, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
In March 2025, following the announcement of Scopely’s $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic’s games business, including Pokémon GO, the company confirmed that no layoffs were planned for the acquired game teams. However, Niantic’s non-games division (rebranded as Niantic Spatial) underwent its own round of layoffs, affecting 68 roles, which was separate from Scopely’s operations.
This approach reflects Scopely’s focus on retaining key talent, especially within its live-ops-heavy franchises, where continuity is critical to sustaining player engagement and revenue.
Scopely Careers
Scopely employs more than 2,300 people worldwide, with teams spread across North America, Europe, and Asia. Key hubs include its headquarters in Culver City, California, and its largest office in Barcelona, Spain. Additional locations in Dublin, Tokyo, and other cities allow the company to tap into diverse talent pools and operate live-ops across time zones.
The company’s careers page regularly lists openings in game design, engineering, marketing, analytics, and live operations. Scopely positions itself as a developer- and player-focused organization, emphasizing creative autonomy for studios within its portfolio and close collaboration between internal teams and external partners.
What’s Next for Scopely?
Scopely’s immediate focus is on integrating Niantic’s games business following its $3.5 billion acquisition in March 2025.
This deal brings Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and the Campfire social platform into Scopely’s portfolio, marking its entry into the location-based AR gaming market.
The company plans to maintain the existing game teams and live-ops cadence for these titles, ensuring a smooth transition for players and partners. Industry observers expect Scopely to apply its proven monetization, marketing, and live-ops strategies to extend the revenue potential of these franchises.
Beyond the Niantic integration, Scopely is likely to continue expanding MONOPOLY GO!, Stumble Guys, and its midcore mainstays (Star Trek™ Fleet Command and MARVEL Strike Force). These titles still have significant runway for growth through new content, seasonal events, and platform expansion.
With the financial backing of Savvy Games Group, Scopely has the resources to pursue additional M&A opportunities, further diversify its genres, and strengthen its position as a top global mobile publisher. Given its track record, the next few years could see the company move even deeper into cross-platform experiences, live-service innovation, and strategic IP partnerships.
Data Source
- GamesIndustry.biz, 2023. Savvy Games Group acquires Scopely for $4.9 billion.
- Polygon, 2025. Pokémon Go, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now sold to Scopely for $3.5B.
- VentureBeat, 2025. Scopely acquires Niantic’s games business for $3.5B.
- PocketGamer.biz, 2024. Monopoly GO! becomes fastest mobile game to $2 billion in revenue.
- Sensor Tower, 2024. Monopoly GO! surpasses $3 billion in record time.
- TechCrunch, 2022. Scopely acquires hit battle royale Stumble Guys from Kitka Games.
- GamesIndustry.biz, 2020. Scopely acquires FoxNext Games LA from Disney.
- GamesIndustry.biz, 2019. Scopely acquires Digit Game Studios.
- GamesIndustry.biz, 2020. Scopely raises $340 million at $3.3 billion valuation.
- GamesIndustry.biz, 2020. Scopely raises $200 million for Series D.
- Scopely, 2025. Games portfolio.
- Scopely, 2025. Careers page.
- Wikipedia, 2025. Scopely.
- Office Snapshots, 2022. Scopely offices – Culver City.
- AppMagic, 2025. App Revenue Data
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