Niantic Spatial Conducts Additional Layoffs Following Major Business Restructuring

Niantic Spatial has confirmed that it laid off 5 more employees in a recent round of job cuts following its major business restructuring.

The move follows a larger layoff earlier this year that affected 68 workers, bringing the total number of jobs cut to 73 since the company's major business pivot.

The layoffs were disclosed through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed in California and were first reported by Game Developer. 

A company spokesperson described the five affected roles as part of a broader restructuring plan following the company’s divestment from the gaming industry.

A $3.5 Billion Shift: From Games to Geospatial AI

The layoffs stem from Niantic's decision to sell its entire gaming division, including the massively popular Pokemon Go, to Scopely in March 2025. The transaction was valued at $3.5 billion and included all of Niantic's internal development teams and major franchises.

Following the sale, remaining Niantic restructured itself as Niantic Spatial, with a renewed focus on geospatial artificial intelligence technology—an area Niantic had been exploring even before its pivot.

Niantic Spatial’s transformation is being powered by $250 million in initial funding, consisting of $200 million from Niantic Inc. and an additional $50 million from Scopely.

While Niantic Spatial undergoes these major changes, Scopely made it clear that its newly acquired gaming division will remain unaffected by the layoffs.