Image via Niantic
Niantic is laying off 68 employees shortly after selling its video game business to Saudi-owned mobile publisher Scopely for $3.5 billion.
The company said the deal would allow it to refocus on the geospatial AI business with the formation of a new company called Niantic Spatial Inc.
Niantic CEO John Hanke announced an undisclosed number of layoffs weeks later. He claimed the cuts would enable the company to become more focused by effectively operating as a "startup organization."
"After a lot of consideration, it became clear that some roles would not be required given our new focus. This week, we are sharing this news with the individuals whose roles are impacted," said Hanke in March.
"These decisions are never easy; they in no way reflect the individuals’ performance, and we understand their impact on people’s lives."
68 workers will lose their jobs at Niantic
Now, as detailed in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) report published in California, we know that at least 68 people will be losing their jobs at Niantic on May 20, 2025.
Those cuts were announced on March 20, 2025—the very same day that Hanke announced layoffs via an internal email (subsequently posted on the Niantic website).
Niantic has confirmed Hanke's note relates to the WARN report and said it doesn't have "anything else to add to that statement at this time."
