New Pokémon Go Era Won't Feature Cristiano Ronaldo

Earlier this year, Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, revealed the sale of its mobile gaming portfolio to Scopely, the company behind Monopoly Go, for a staggering $3.5 billion. This decision was met with a mix of celebration and criticism from the game's dedicated community.

For some players, the change in ownership signified liberation from Niantic's persistent emphasis on integrating augmented reality (AR) features, which many found unappealing. (Following the sale, Niantic has rebranded as Niantic Spatial, now solely dedicated to advancing AR technology.) In contrast, Scopely's entire focus is on gaming.

However, other fans, especially those familiar with Scopely's other titles, expressed concern about the potential for heightened monetization and the involvement of Scopely's parent company, Savvy Games, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's controversial Public Investment Fund.

Following the finalization of the $3.5 billion acquisition earlier this month, I spoke with Pokémon Go Director Michael Steranka about the implications of the ownership transition and what it truly means for the future of the popular mobile game.

"Our physical move was essentially just one block away, so it wasn't a major upheaval," Steranka explained, as we conversed on Pokémon Go-branded deck chairs at the recent Go Fest 2025 event in Paris. "We actually moved into one of our existing overflow offices, so the space was quite familiar."

"The most notable aspect of this transition has been its seamlessness," he added. "It has very much been business as usual."

For Pokémon Go, business as usual entails a packed calendar of in-game events, new Pokémon releases, and real-world gatherings like Go Fest 2025 and the upcoming Pokémon Go Road Trip 2025, which kicks off in the UK later this month and concludes in Cologne in August. Steranka affirms that development has continued uninterrupted throughout the acquisition process, though he acknowledges it's still early days.

"Admittedly, the deal finalized during the Osaka Go Fest, and the team has been exceptionally busy, so there was likely a conscious effort to avoid disruption at that time," he noted. "However, from my discussions with Scopely, their operational philosophy is to be highly supportive and non-intrusive with individual development teams."

"Our entire development team transitioned with us. In terms of daily operations and reporting, we still report to Ed Woo, our team lead from Niantic, who is also now with Scopely."

"One key area that may receive less emphasis is the focus on augmented reality."

So, what actual changes can players expect? A positive for many will likely be a reduced emphasis on AR-centric gameplay.

"One key area that may receive less emphasis is the focus on augmented reality," Steranka conceded. "It's no secret that many players haven't been enthusiastic about some of the AR systems introduced over the years. Going forward, any AR functionality added to Pokémon Go will be because our team genuinely believes it will enhance fun and excitement."

Unlike Niantic, Scopely is entirely dedicated to video games—a shift Steranka described as a "breath of fresh air" for his team.

"Philosophically, it's excellent, or I expect it to be, to be part of a company wholly focused on games. That was an area where we sometimes faced challenges at Niantic," he said. "When it comes to company-wide priorities, investment decisions, and initiatives at Scopely, the focus will be squarely on what's best for Pokémon Go. I believe this will be a refreshing change for everyone."

Despite recent updates that expanded remote play features and introduced items like the Lucky Trinket and the forthcoming Golden Bottle Cap, Steranka clarifies these are part of the team's long-term roadmap, planned well before the acquisition.

"It's somewhat amusing because some recent changes, which players have long requested, have sparked online speculation that they're a direct result of the Scopely acquisition," Steranka remarked. "These are features we've been developing internally."

"To be fair, Scopely hasn't intervened to halt any plans. They have been very supportive of our existing roadmap. We have several other exciting features and updates planned for later this year that we believe players will love."

In fact, regarding future content, Steranka stated that the Pokémon Go team has its content schedule mapped out "essentially for the next two years," though it remains adaptable.

"I think skeptical individuals will maintain their skepticism."

Soon after the sale announcement, Steranka conducted an in-depth interview with TrainerTips, a prominent Pokémon Go YouTuber, to address initial community concerns. Months later, with the deal complete, I asked for his assessment of current player sentiment.

"I believe skeptical individuals will maintain their skepticism," Steranka responded. "The most effective thing we can do is demonstrate over time that this is a positive direction for the game. However, following that interview with TrainerTips, I've noticed a rise in cautious optimism. It's healthy skepticism, but optimism nonetheless."

"I've heard excellent things about Scopely. Actions speak louder than words, and thus far, their actions have been commendable. I fully expect this to continue in the years ahead."

Alongside this optimism, I inquired about the cultural fit between the Pokémon Go team and Scopely, which is owned by Savvy Games. Pokémon Go has historically emphasized inclusivity and progressive values. I asked Steranka about internal discussions regarding ownership by a Saudi-backed entity and its potential impact.

"That was certainly a point of personal curiosity early on when I met with Walter Driver, Scopely's co-CEO and founder," Steranka acknowledged. "I addressed it directly with him, and his perspective strongly resonated with me."

"Firstly, our team will rarely, if ever, interact directly with Savvy. They largely allow Scopely to operate autonomously. Secondly, engaging with diverse perspectives is inherently positive. If you wish to effect change in the world, isolation is not the path forward, right?"

"This philosophy aligns closely with Pokémon Go's core values. We encourage players to venture out, connect with their communities, and believe in the power of face-to-face interaction to find common ground and foster a better world through a community-first approach."

"You cannot effect change by remaining disengaged."

"So, I do not anticipate any major directives, or any at all, being imposed from Savvy. If anything, this provides the funding needed to invest in areas we've always wanted to explore. This is genuinely exciting because an alternative scenario could have involved becoming a public company, subject to quarterly shareholder demands. Operating within Scopely allows us to focus more intently on the game's long-term health."

Earlier this year, SNK, another company with Saudi backing, drew attention by featuring football star Cristian Ronaldo in its game *Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves*, coinciding with Ronaldo's prominence in Saudi football leagues.

"I did see that," Steranka said when I mentioned it.

I suggested that this likely means players shouldn't expect Ronaldo to appear in Pokémon Go anytime soon.

"Definitely not," Steranka confirmed. "That doesn't quite fit the vibe of Pokémon Go."