Pokémon Go Director on Scopely: No Need for Fan Concern

The recent acquisition of Pokémon Go developer Niantic by Scopely, the team behind Monopoly Go, has sparked a wave of concern among fans. Issues ranging from potential increases in ads to worries about data privacy have been at the forefront of these discussions. However, a reassuring 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 Scopely and Niantic, expressing confidence that Scopely would not introduce intrusive ads into Pokémon Go. This is a significant relief for players who have been concerned about the game's user experience post-acquisition. Moreover, Steranka firmly stated that Niantic would not share or sell player data to third parties, a crucial assurance for privacy-conscious gamers. He concluded by emphasizing that the transition to working under Scopely would have minimal impact on Niantic's operations, if any.

If it ain't broke...While there might be concerns about corporate influence, I believe Scopely will likely maintain a light touch on Pokémon Go's operations. The game has been, and continues to be, highly successful. A more significant business focus might be Niantic's new spin-off team, which is exploring further applications of augmented reality (AR).

Steranka also underscored the close involvement of The Pokémon Company in the decision-making process for Pokémon Go. This partnership suggests that any actions contrary to their principles would be unlikely, both now and in the future.

If these assurances have boosted your confidence in returning to Pokémon Go, don't forget to check out our regularly updated list of promo codes for some free in-game boosts.