In March 2025, Niantic—the developer behind the popular augmented reality (AR) mobile game Pokémon Go—announced the sale of its gaming division to Scopely, a U.S.-based company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), in a deal reportedly worth $3.5 billion. The acquisition has attracted international attention, not only because of the game’s global popularity but also due to the potential implications for the future of AR gaming and the growing influence of Gulf investments in the tech and entertainment sectors. When Pokémon Go first launched in 2016, it became an instant global sensation, encouraging players to explore real-world environments to “catch” virtual Pokémon through their smartphones. Egypt was no exception to the craze. Young Egyptians flooded the streets in search of Pokémon, gathering in parks, outside restaurants, and even near mosques. The game gained popularity quickly among Egyptian youth, who shared their experiences on social media, turning city streets into spontaneous meetups and photo ops. However, the game also raised serious concerns among some Egyptian authorities and commentators. Ahmed Badawi, the deputy head of the communication committee, called on Egyptian authorities to contemplate banning the game, claiming it could…
