Niantic, the creator of Pokémon Go, recently purchased a competitive gaming platform named Mayhem which specializes in creating digital communities for games, however financial details of the deal were publicly disclosed.
The competitive gaming platform has shifted its focus a number of times since it secured $5.7 million in funding in 2018. Mayhem has worked to provide solutions for gaming consumers and launched Visor, a service that would analyze gameplay for esports players and provide feedback on their performance. Since then, Mayhem has pivoted to mainly focus on creating tools to match online gamers, as well as create tournaments.
Niantic said that the acquisition, "reinforces our commitment to real-world social as the centrepiece of our mission."
Competitive Gaming Platform Acquistions
Niantic Purchased Mayhem Which Helps Match Players Online
Trend Themes
1. Acquisition of Competitive Gaming Platforms - The acquisition of companies focused on developing online communities and tools for gamers reiterates the importance of digital engagement and presents opportunities for companies to further expand their offerings.
2. Development of Gaming Solutions for Esports Athletes - The launch of Visor by Mayhem, a service designed to analyze gameplay and provide feedback to esports players, presents opportunities for companies to develop similar solutions and cater to the growing esports industry.
3. Expansion of Real-world Social Engagement in Gaming - Niantic's focus on real-world social engagement as the centerpiece of their mission signifies a shift in the gaming industry towards creating more interactive and engaging experiences for players, opening opportunities for companies to create similar experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Gaming Industry - Acquiring competitive gaming platforms specializing in digital communities and tools for gamers provides opportunities for mobile gaming companies to expand their offerings and enhance their user engagement.
2. Esports Industry - Developing solutions for esports athletes such as Mayhem's Visor presents opportunities for companies to cater to the growing esports industry and create tools and services tailored to the needs of esports athletes.
3. Social Media Industry - The focus on real-world social engagement in gaming by Niantic and Mayhem presents opportunities for social media companies to expand into the gaming space and create more interactive and engaging experiences for users.