Following the recent acquisition of Pokémon Go developer Niantic by Scopely, the company behind Monopoly Go, fans have expressed a range of concerns. From fears about increased ads to worries over personal data privacy, the community has been vocal about their apprehensions. However, a recent interview with Michael Steranka, a product director at Pokémon Go, published on Polygon, aims to alleviate these concerns.
In the interview, Steranka highlights the alignment between Niantic and Scopely, suggesting that both companies share similar values and goals. He confidently asserts that intrusive ads are unlikely to be introduced into Pokémon Go under Scopely's stewardship. This should come as reassuring news to players who have been wary of the acquisition's potential impact on their gaming experience.
For those particularly concerned about data privacy, Steranka was unequivocal: Niantic will not share or sell player data to third parties. He further emphasized that the transition to working under Scopely would bring minimal changes, if any, to the Niantic team's operations.
If it ain't broke...While there might be some corporate adjustments, I personally believe Scopely will not heavily interfere with Pokémon Go's operations. The game has been, and continues to be, incredibly successful. A more significant business move for Niantic seems to be their new spin-off team dedicated to exploring further applications of AR technology.
Steranka also pointed out the close involvement of The Pokémon Company in decision-making processes related to Pokémon Go. This involvement suggests that any actions not aligned with The Pokémon Company's standards would be unlikely, both now and in the future.
If these reassurances have bolstered your confidence in returning to Pokémon Go, don't forget to check out our list of promo codes for some regularly updated free boosts to enhance your gameplay.