Pokemon Go Director Says Players' Data Won't Be Sold, No Intrusive Ads

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabian-owned mobile developer Scopely confirmed that it's buying the gaming division of Niantic, the developer behind Pokemon Go and other hit mobile games. It was a $3.5 billion deal, and one of the largest gaming buyouts in history. But for any fans who are worried about Scopely imposing certain unwanted changes on Pokemon Go, the game's senior director, Michael Steranka, wants to assure them that won't be the case.

While speaking with Polygon, Steranka indicated that he's spent months talking with Scopely's team, and he related that they don't want to rock the boat of Pokemon Go's success. For example, he indicated that Steranka won't shift the game from a free-to-play model, or force intrusive ads into the experience.

"[Intrusive ads are] not happening in Pokemon Go--not now, not ever," said Steranka. "Again, Scopely really recognizes how unique this game is, and they've told us themselves that they would be foolish to try to change the recipe of what's made this such a huge hit and a success. So yeah, absolutely not. We will not be building into our games any type of obtrusive ads or anything like that. I just really want to reiterate Scopely as a company, the way that they operate is they give all of their teams the agency to make the decisions that’s right for their games. And that is not something that we feel would ever be right for Pokemon Go."

Continue Reading at GameSpot

Topics

Report: Jaguars adding Rams' analytics director to James Gladstone's team

The Jaguars are reportedly adding former Rams analytics director to GM James Gladstone's staff.
Yahoo Sports - 4d
Pokemon Go Developer Set To Be Acquired By Saudi Arabia's Scopely In $3.5 Billion Deal

Saudi Arabian-owned mobile developer Scopely has announced that it'll be acquiring Niantic's video game division, paying $3.5 billion for the developer behind Pokemon Go. Also included in the ...
GameSpot - Mar. 12
Pokemon TCG Pocket Devs Promises To Remove Trade Tokens

Although Pokemon TCG Pocket has been extremely successful since its debut last year, not everything in the game is popular with players. Case in point, the trade tokens introduced in late January ...
GameSpot - 4d
Are we heading into a recession? Here's what the data shows

With stocks sliding into correction territory in the last week, a question emerges: Is a recession next? Here's what the data and expert economists say.
NBC News - 2d
Pensacola Catholic's Matt Adams selected as school's new athletic director

The school noted that Matt Adams will continue his role as the facilities director and his responsibilities as AD will start during the 2025-26 school year.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
David Sacks sold $200M in crypto-related holdings before taking White House job, ethics memo says

David Sacks, the Trump administration’s AI and crypto czar, sold over $200 million worth of digital asset-related investments personally and through his firm, Craft Ventures, before starting the ...
NBC News - 5d
Dave Davis: “Fans Beaten Down to Expect No Purchases Unless Players Sold”

FSG, Transfer Budget & Backing Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Crucial Summer DecisionsLiverpool are on the cusp of a transformative summer. With the Premier League title within reach, attention is already ...
Yahoo Sports - 5d
'Howe's history men to go down in Newcastle folklore'

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and his players will assume legendary status on Tyneside after winning the club's first major trophy in 56 years, says Phil McNulty.
BBC News - 2d
Avengers Director Says Future Of Entertainment Lies In The Blending Of Gaming And Linear Storytelling

The last decade alone has seen a major shift in how entertainment is produced and consumed, and while the future isn't set in stone, Avengers: Endgame and The Electric State directors Joe and ...
GameSpot - 5d
Roku Tests Showing Ads Before the Home Screen Loads

Users in the test group are unimpressed by the video ads, which play automatically. Customers say they will be eager to toss their Roku devices if the ads become permanent.
Wired - 22h
Ex-Social Security official describes ‘significant’ risk of sensitive data going to wrong hands under DOGE

Tiffany Flick, a former Social Security official, detailed what she sees as a “significant” risk of sensitive government data heading into the wrong hands under Elon Musk’s Department of Government ...
The Hill - Mar. 10
We're adding to an industrial that eased worries about its AI data center business

We're making another buy on Thursday — taking advantage of weakness and lower stock prices in a deeply oversold market.
CNBC - 6d
The government wants your data — here’s how to protect your privacy

If we don’t protect tech sovereignty today, we are going to regret it tomorrow.
The Hill - Mar. 9
‘Attack the opportunity’ – Manchester City going out for the win says Cushing

Manchester City’s interim head coach Nick Cushing says that his side will be going out for the win when they play host to Chelsea at The Joie Stadium.The two sides will battle out what promises to ...
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Trump economic adviser: 'First quarter is going to squeak into the positive category'

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Monday the “first quarter is going to squeak into the positive category,” even as anxieties around the economy rise nationwide. Stocks were ...
The Hill - Mar. 10
Pokemon Fans Can Preorder A New Detective Pikachu 4K Steelbook At Amazon

Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Limited Edition Steelbook (4K Blu-ray) $42.49 at Amazon | Releases April ...
GameSpot - 2d
Werner Herzog on the role of "good criminal energy" in making movies

At director Werner Herzog's so-called "film school for rogues," he shows students how to forge a shooting permit. With more than 70 movies to his name, Herzog says making movies requires going ...
CBS News - 2d
David Sacks sold $200 million in crypto-related holdings before taking White House job, ethics memo says

The White House memo revealed that AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks divested over $200 million in digital asset-related investments.
CNBC - 5d
Trump's World Liberty Financial crypto project says it sold $550 million in tokens

World Liberty Financial said it completed its second token sale, bringing in $550 million.
CNBC - 1d
Steelers free agency 2025: Pittsburgh signing two-time Super Bowl champion, per report

Pittsburgh's defense is adding an established player
CBS Sports - 1d
Trump’s USAid cuts will have huge impact on global climate finance, data shows

Campaigners say funding halt is a ‘staggering blow’ to vulnerable nations and to efforts to keep heating below 1.5C. Donald Trump’s withdrawal of US overseas aid will almost decimate global climate ...
The Guardian - Mar. 10
Openly gay soccer player still faces online death threats

The first openly gay man to play in Australia’s domestic soccer league says he’s still subject to death threats four years after going public about his sexuality. Josh Cavallo, who plays for ...
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Voice of America director says Trump's dismantling of agency is "self-inflicted blow"

Voice of America, the government-funded news agency launched during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, stopped broadcasting over the weekend after its employees were put on leave or ...
CBS News - 1d
Dismantling VOA could lead to dominance of anti-U.S. propaganda, director says

The government-funded news agency stopped broadcasting after its employees were put on leave or terminated.
CBS News - 1d
Dismantling VOA could lead to dominance of anti-U.S. propaganda, director says

The government-funded news agency stopped broadcasting after its employees were put on leave or terminated.
CBS News - 1d
‘Our mindset stays the same’ – Chelsea go to Manchester City with clear aims says Bompastor

Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor says that her side’s mindset remains the same going into the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Manchester City.The Blues tr...
Yahoo Sports - 3h
Spaun leads The Players as McIlroy clings on

Rory McIlroy is four shots back from unheralded American JJ Spaun at The Players Championship going into the final round.
BBC News - 3d
Palworld Dev Says It Was "A Depressing Day" When Nintendo Sued

In 2024, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company sued Palworld developer Pocketpair on patent infringement claims, and now Palworld's community manager has revealed more details on how it all went down.. ...
GameSpot - 1d
Gotta Build 'Em All: Lego Teases Pokemon Sets

Lego has produced multiple sets based on famous video game franchises over the years, and in 2025, it's tackling one of the biggest IP of all time in the form of Pokemon. For now, Lego is only ...
GameSpot - 1d
The White House is using tariffs to restore manufacturing. Data suggests it will take time.

What the White House wants and what the economic realities of manufacturing and trade are don’t line up, experts say.
NBC News - Mar. 11
Pressure grows to hold secret Apple data privacy hearing in public

Civil liberties campaigners have joined US politicians and the BBC in saying Friday's hearing should not be secret.
BBC News - 6d
What’s Going on With TikTok Right Now?

Trump says a TikTok deal is in the works. Here’s where things stand with the app.
Inc. - Mar. 12
Trump adding copper to trade protections, Commerce secretary says

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said President Trump plans to introduce steep tariffs on copper imports after he directed Cabinet officials to investigate the country’s ability to rely on its ...
The Hill - Mar. 12
A’s sign Lawrence Butler to 7-year deal + Paul Skenes adding two more pitches!?

ake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman react to the Ahtletics formalizing a 7-year deal with Lawrence Butler, while releasing new renderings of their proposed 2028 stadium in Las Vegas. Jake and Jordan ...
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 7
Van Dijk says ‘there’s going to be news’ on Liverpool future

Virgil van Dijk has reiterated his commitment to Liverpool and has insisted there will be news on his future before the end of the season.Van Dijk’s current contract expires in the summer and there ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
How Tennis Players Really Feel About Rankings

When players say they don’t pay attention, they’re not being entirely honest.
The New York Times - Mar. 10
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea are going to sell 7-8 players this summer

It sounds like it is going to be another busy summer at Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the club are looking to sell 7-8 players.The new comes after Chelsea beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Thursday ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
T-Mobile customers to get payments up to $25K next month after data breach: Here's who qualifies

The $350 million T-Mobile agreed to pay in a 2022 class action settlement will finally start going out to customers next month.
The Hill - Mar. 12
Children in UK as young as 11 targeted by sextortion criminals, data reveals

Internet Watch Foundation says ‘worrying’ trend shows criminals are casting their nets wider to trap victims. • Our son was targeted by sextortionist online – here’s what we did . Children as ...
The Guardian - Mar. 9

More in Tech

Grab This Discontinued Lego Indiana Jones Set Before It Sells Out Again

Lego Indiana Jones: Temple of the Golden Idol (1,545 Pieces) $150 | Recently ...
GameSpot - 25m
Grab This Discontinued Lego Indiana Jones Set Before It Sells Out Again

Lego Indiana Jones: Temple of the Golden Idol (1,545 Pieces) $150 | Recently ...
GameSpot - 25m
Who else has been stuck in space? A short history of long spaceflights

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aren’t the first to run late in space, and their 9 ½-month mission falls short of any endurance record
ABC News - 1h
Nvidia’s Cosmos-Transfer1 makes robot training freakishly realistic—and that changes everything

Nvidia releases Cosmos-Transfer1, a groundbreaking AI model that generates photorealistic simulations for training robots and autonomous vehicles by bridging the gap between virtual and real-world ...
VentureBeat - 1h
Nvidia’s Cosmos-Transfer1 makes robot training freakishly realistic—and that changes everything

Nvidia releases Cosmos-Transfer1, a groundbreaking AI model that generates photorealistic simulations for training robots and autonomous vehicles by bridging the gap between virtual and real-world ...
VentureBeat - 1h