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Pokemon Go studio Niantic set to become more than just a games developer with Escher Reality acquisition

Plans to make AR technology more widely available later this year

Date Type Companies involved Size
February 1st, 2018 acquisition Niantic Not disclosed
Pokemon Go studio Niantic set to become more than just a games developer with Escher Reality acquisition

Pokemon Go developer Niantic has acquired augmented reality firm Escher Reality for an undisclosed fee.

Escher has been working on tools designed to help developers build persistent, multi-user, cross-platform experiences.

The firm’s mapping and computer vision tech will now be integrated into Niantic’s own platform.

Interestingly, Niantic has said it aims to make its technology more widely available to other developers later this year - meaning it’s set to become more than just a games developer. The company's technology powers its augmented reality and location-based gameplay in games like Pokemon Go and Ingress.

As for precise details on the move, Niantic CEO John Hanke simple said to “stay tuned for information on developer availability”.

Developers can currently contact the studio directly about using the Niantic platform, according to the company's website.

“At Niantic, we are committed to using technology to enhance our users’ interactions with the physical world and we are excited to embrace the Escher team as we continue to evolve and grow our platform to support planet-scale AR,” said Hanke.

Money to burn

The purchase of Escher is not the first acquisition Niantic has made. In November last year it bought animation platform Evertoon to power new social features for its games.

Shortly after this it was announced that Niantic had raised $200 million in investment in November. Backers included Spark Capital, Founders Fund, Meritech, Javelin Venture Capital, You & Mr. Jones and Netease.

As well as further developing its technology, the company is currently at work on revamping its AR title Ingress and is developing Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.


Head of Content

Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.