Pokémon Go Director Rules Out Ronaldo Addition

Earlier this year, Pokémon Go developer Niantic announced its $3.5 billion sale to Scopely, Monopoly Go's publisher - a move that divided the game's passionate community.

For some players, the transition represented liberation from Niantic's aggressive AR feature push. (Post-sale, Niantic rebranded as Niantic Spatial to exclusively pursue AR technology.) Scopely operates purely as a gaming company.

However, other fans - particularly those familiar with Scopely's portfolio - expressed concerns about potential monetization creep and involvement from Scopely's Saudi-linked parent company Savvy Games Group.

Following this month's finalized acquisition, I interviewed Pokémon Go director Michael Steranka about the transition's impact and future implications.

A Seamless Transition (So Far)

"We literally relocated one block away - it's actually our former overflow office space," Steranka explained during Go Fest 2025 in Paris. "The most remarkable aspect has been how uninterrupted operations have remained."

Pokémon Go maintains its packed schedule: regular events, new Pokémon debuts, and upcoming Road Trip 2025 series launching in the UK before concluding in Germany.

Shifting Priorities: Less AR Focus

"AR features will naturally become less prioritized," Steranka confirmed. "Future AR implementations will focus purely on enhancing gameplay enjoyment rather than technological showcase."

The director described working for Scopely - a pure gaming company - as "a breath of fresh air" compared to Niantic's AR-driven priorities.

Future Roadmap Remains Unchanged

Despite speculation about Scopely influencing recent updates like Lucky Trinkets and Golden Bottle Caps, Steranka clarified: "These were already in our pipeline. Scopely has supported our existing roadmap completely."

The team has content planned through 2027, with flexibility for adjustments. Steranka emphasized Scopely's non-interference approach toward development teams.

Addressing Parent Company Concerns

Regarding Saudi-linked ownership, Steranka explained: "Our team won't engage directly with Savvy. Scopely maintains operational independence."

He framed the situation as an opportunity for positive engagement: "Real change requires dialogue. Our community-focused philosophy remains unchanged."

The director dismissed suggestions of outside influence, noting the benefits of private ownership versus shareholder pressures.

The Ronaldo Question

When asked about SNK's Cristiano Ronaldo crossover following Saudi investment, Steranka laughed: "That's definitely not our vibe."