Pokémon Go Director Explains Why Fans Shouldn't Worry About Scopely

The recent acquisition of Pokémon Go developer Niantic by Scopely, the creators of Monopoly Go, has sparked a wave of concern among fans. Worries about increased ads, data privacy, and other changes have been widespread. However, a new interview with Michael Steranka, a product director at Pokémon Go, featured on Polygon, aims to alleviate these fears.

In the interview, Steranka highlights the alignment between Niantic and Scopely, emphasizing that both companies share similar values and goals. He confidently stated that Scopely would not introduce intrusive ads into Pokémon Go, addressing one of the major fan concerns. Additionally, Steranka was clear and firm on the issue of data privacy, asserting that Niantic would never sell or pass on player data to third parties. He concluded by reassuring fans that the transition to working under Scopely would result in minimal changes to Niantic's operations, if any.

If it ain't broke...While it's natural to anticipate some level of corporatization, I personally believe that Scopely will not heavily influence the operation of Pokémon Go. The game has been, and continues to be, highly successful. The more significant business development might be Niantic's new spin-off team, which is focused on expanding the use of AR technology.

Steranka also pointed out the close involvement of The Pokémon Company in the decision-making process for Pokémon Go. This partnership suggests that any actions that The Pokémon Company would not approve are unlikely to occur now or in the future.

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