ByteDance is reportedly in advanced talks to sell Moonton, the developer behind Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, to Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group in a deal valued at more than US$6 billion. The potential sale, first detailed by Reuters, would see the TikTok owner offload one of the most dominant mobile esports publishers in the world.

According to Reuters journalists Yantoultra Ngui and Kane Wu, the agreement could be signed as soon as this quarter, with key terms already broadly agreed between the two sides. The sources declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak publicly. ByteDance, Moonton and Savvy Games Group did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Deal Valued Between $6 Billion And $7 Billion

Reuters reports the transaction is being discussed at between US$6 billion and US$7 billion, representing a significant jump from the roughly US$4 billion ByteDance paid for Moonton in 2021 through its gaming arm, Nuverse.

A follow-up report citing Reuters notes that negotiations have entered a new phase, with the valuation now said to exceed US$6 billion. Earlier reporting from Bloomberg in November indicated ByteDance had reopened discussions with the Saudi Public Investment Fund subsidiary, after talks had slowed as the fund prioritised domestic infrastructure projects such as Neom.

If finalised, the agreement would stand as one of the largest mobile gaming acquisitions in recent years.

Mobile Legends Performance Strengthens Negotiations

The higher valuation is closely tied to the continued growth of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. According to Moonton’s official website, the title has surpassed 1.5 billion downloads and maintains more than 110 million monthly active users. It ranks among the top 10 most played games in over 80 countries.

Despite broader stagnation in parts of the mobile MOBA market and competition from Honor of Kings, MLBB has sustained strong organic growth in Southeast Asia.

In January 2026, the M7 World Championship recorded a peak viewership of 5.6 million. That reportedly placed it second only to League of Legends in peak viewers, ahead of major esports titles including VALORANT and Counter-Strike 2. It also set a new benchmark for a mobile title, surpassing Free Fire’s previous peak.

Those audience figures reinforce Mobile Legends’ value as both a publishing asset and a global esports ecosystem.

ByteDance Exits Large-Scale Game Development

A Moonton divestment would mark ByteDance’s most significant step away from in-house game development.

The company announced in 2023 that it would restructure its gaming operations following a strategic review. Since then, Nuverse has divested several projects, with some assets sold to Tencent in mid-2024. Moonton now represents ByteDance’s last major internally owned development studio with a global footprint.

Reports suggest proceeds from the sale could support ByteDance’s continued investment in artificial intelligence research and infrastructure, including large language model initiatives such as Seedance, as well as scaling TikTok’s global operations.

ByteDance’s broader valuation has surged over the past year. Reuters previously reported that its first and second quarter 2025 revenues surpassed those of Meta, making it the world’s largest social media company by sales. In the third quarter, the company launched an employee share buyback valuing it at more than US$330 billion.

Savvy Games Group Expands Its Global Portfolio

Savvy Games Group, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has been steadily building a global games and esports portfolio through acquisitions and investments.

In 2023, Savvy acquired Scopely for US$4.9 billion. Scopely later purchased Niantic’s game division, including the team behind Pokemon Go, for US$3.5 billion. Savvy also controls ESL FACEIT Group, giving it influence over tournament operations and competitive infrastructure.

Recent reports further indicate the group secured close to 94 percent of Electronic Arts in a US$55 billion deal, adding franchises such as EA Sports FC, Apex Legends, The Sims and Battlefield to its expanding portfolio.

Acquiring Moonton would give Savvy control over a leading mobile esports title with deep roots in Southeast Asia, further strengthening its position across publishing, live events and competitive ecosystems.

Ongoing Industry Consolidation

The potential sale reflects continued consolidation across the gaming sector, as major investors pursue intellectual property, scale and long-term control over global esports ecosystems.

With Mobile Legends maintaining strong download numbers and record-breaking esports viewership, Moonton remains one of the most valuable standalone mobile studios on the market. If the deal closes this quarter as sources suggest, it would significantly reshape ownership within the mobile esports landscape.

For now, the transaction remains unconfirmed by the companies involved, but multiple reports indicate negotiations are approaching a decisive stage.

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YouTube Channel Temporarily Taken Down

The official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Esports YouTube channel has been temporarily suspended by YouTube, developer MOONTON confirmed in an official statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Official Statement pic.twitter.com/IwErhZ7myA

— MLBB Esports Official (@mlbbesports_en) October 16, 2025

According to the post, the suspension came as a result of “third-party unauthorised livestream events” that were outside of MOONTON’s control. The company has since reached out to YouTube to resolve the issue and restore the channel as soon as possible.

“We are currently communicating with YouTube to rectify the situation,” the statement reads. “In the meantime, please head over to MLBB Esports on Facebook and TikTok, and MLBB Regional Socials to view the live broadcasts of our esports events and latest M7 updates.”

Possible Hack Linked to Crypto Scam

While MOONTON did not share full details about what triggered the suspension, early signs point to a possible hack. A user on Instagram claimed the MLBB Esports YouTube channel was compromised and used to promote a cryptocurrency giveaway, a tactic that has become increasingly common among large gaming channels.

This situation also comes just days after several other major esports organisations had their official YouTube channels hijacked to promote a fake Solana memecoin giveaway. As covered Major Esports YouTube Channels Hacked to Promote Fake Solana “Memecoin” Giveaway, platforms belonging to ESL, BLAST Premier, BLAST Rainbow Six, and even the Esports World Cup were taken over and streamed a scam giveaway.

Those hacked channels briefly aired old interview footage, including one featuring Gabe Newell discussing the Steam Deck, with a QR code linking to the fraudulent crypto stream. The affected accounts, including MLBB Esports, have since been restored and are now back online.

Community Reactions and Ongoing Events

The news has caused quite a stir among the Mobile Legends community. Fans and players took to X to express concern and frustration, with replies ranging from shocked “Noooo” comments to simple “gg” reactions.

Despite the disruption, MLBB’s competitive circuit remains active. The Mobile Legends Professional Leagues (MPL) across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and MENA continue to host key matches that will determine who qualifies for the upcoming M7 World Championship.

Originally planned for December 2025, the M7 World Championship has been rescheduled to January 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The change was made to avoid overlap with the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, where MLBB will appear as an official medal event.

A Quick Recovery Expected

Given how other esports organisations have recovered swiftly from similar crypto-related breaches, it’s likely that the MLBB Esports YouTube channel will be restored soon.

Until then, MOONTON has encouraged fans to keep up with tournament coverage and M7 updates through MLBB’s official Facebook, TikTok, and regional league accounts.

The developer closed its statement by thanking the community for its continued patience and support as it works to resolve the situation.

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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is turning nine this October, and Moonton is pulling out all the stops to celebrate nearly a decade of dominance in the mobile gaming world. Themed “9th to Meet You”, the anniversary festival is set to be MLBB’s biggest community appreciation event yet, filled with exclusive skins, in-game events, and player rewards.

Nine Years of Mobile MOBA Dominance

Since its release in 2017, MLBB has become Southeast Asia’s most successful mobile Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and one of the world’s most played games. According to Sensor Tower, the title continues to top mobile gaming revenue and download charts across the region. Its influence has grown well beyond SEA, with millions of players worldwide and a thriving esports scene that has seen its flagship M Series World Championships rise to global prominence.

In fact, MLBB has achieved a massive milestone this year. Esports Charts crowned it the most popular esports title in Q2 2025, reaching over 4.1 million peak viewers, surpassing PC giants like League of Legends and Dota 2. The Mid Season Cup 2025 also drew more than 3 million concurrent viewers during the Esports World Cup, accumulating a staggering 50 million watch hours globally.

This growth cements MLBB’s position not just as a mobile game, but as a major force in global esports and gaming culture.

“9th to Meet You”: The Biggest MLBB Anniversary Yet

The “9th to Meet You” event officially kicks off on 9 October, bringing a wave of celebrations designed to thank players for nine years of support. At the heart of it is the new Anniversary Venue, a dedicated in-game hub where players can participate in matches and missions to earn Anniversary Points and Energy.

These can be used to light up different sections of the venue, with each stage revealing new effects, visuals, and rewards. The more progress players make together, the more vibrant and dynamic the celebration becomes. The final milestone? Unlocking Fanny’s brand-new Epic girl group skin, which can be earned for free through event participation.

More Rewards: Lolita’s Superfan Skin and the New Stardust Vault

The festivities continue on 17 October, when players can take on a limited-time puzzle event to earn Lolita’s new Superfan skin, alongside an additional painted variant. Completing event tasks gradually uncovers puzzle pieces while granting anniversary-themed items.

Moonton is also introducing the Stardust Vault, a permanent addition to MLBB’s reward system. Any unclaimed event progress can be converted into Stardust Crystals, which can then be exchanged for a range of skins, including Epic-tier ones. This new system ensures players’ time and effort always pay off, reinforcing MLBB’s player-first approach.

A Celebration of Community and Innovation

Beyond the flashy new skins and rewards, the “9th to Meet You” festival underscores what has kept MLBB on top for nearly a decade, its tight-knit community. The event turns the game into a shared space of celebration, where millions of players can connect, compete, and create memories together.

As MLBB moves into its tenth year, Moonton says it remains committed to innovation, community engagement, and cultural relevance, continuing to push the boundaries of mobile gaming and esports entertainment.

The “9th to Meet You” anniversary festival begins 9 October 2025. Players can log in now to join the festivities, unlock the free Fanny skin, and celebrate nine incredible years of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang just dropped a brand-new hero on its advanced server, and fans can’t stop talking about him. His name is Sora, the Shifting Cloud, and with his elastic combos, flashy transformations, and anime-inspired design, it’s hard not to see a little One Piece flavour here. In fact, plenty of players are already drawing comparisons to Luffy Gear 5, sparking speculation about a potential MLBB x One Piece collaboration down the line.

So, what exactly makes Sora stand out? Let’s break down his skills, playstyle, and when we might actually see him on the live servers.

A Hero With Two Sides

Sora’s biggest hook is his dual-form mechanic, letting him shift between two very different roles mid-match. His passive, Mystic Surge, builds stacks as he deals damage. Once charged, activating his ultimate lets him transform into either:

• Thunder Form (Assassin) – Converts extra HP into Physical Attack, giving him fast, high-damage combos.
• Torrent Form (Tank) – Converts bonus Attack into Max HP, turning him into a bruiser who can soak up damage while controlling fights.

Image Credit: Moonton

It’s a flexible system, similar to MLBB’s Suyou, but with a twist: Sora’s transformation depends on which direction you swipe his ultimate skill.

Skill Breakdown

Here’s how his kit plays out depending on which True Art you choose:

Skill 1: Sundering Strike

• Thunderflash (Thunder) – A flurry of fast strikes that scale off Attack power, plus a lunge.
• Overwhelm (Torrent) – Twin strikes with Attack scaling and a lunge that stuns, perfect for locking enemies down.

Image Credit: Moonton

Skill 2: Windstride

• Thunder Rush (Thunder) – A leap followed by a thunderstorm, dealing damage and slowing enemies.
• Skyfall (Torrent) – A leap that knocks enemies back and smashes them into the air.

Image Credit: Moonton

Ultimate: Shifting Skies

1. Swipe left – Enter Thunder form, briefly untargetable, gaining speed and high-damage strikes.
2. Swipe right – Enter Torrent form, pulling in enemies and dealing HP-based damage.

Image Credit: Moonton

It’s a kit that requires practice, but once mastered, it could push him high on the MLBB meta tier list.

When Will Sora Be Released?

Right now, Sora is only available on the advanced server. MOONTON Games hasn’t confirmed an official release date yet, but based on their usual schedule of launching new heroes every three months, fans can likely expect him to arrive around mid-December 2025 or early January 2026.

The last hero, Obsidia, followed that pattern, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Sora drops at the start of the next ranked season. Until then, players should keep an eye on updates, as his abilities may be tweaked before launch.

A Tease of Future Collabs?

Between his wild transformations, elastic combos, and anime-like style, Sora feels like a nod to Luffy Gear 5 from One Piece. While nothing has been confirmed, Mobile Legends has a history of big anime crossovers, including Naruto, so the idea of a One Piece x MLBB collaboration doesn’t feel far-fetched at all.

For now, players can look forward to testing Sora on the advanced server and preparing for his arrival on the main game later this year.

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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has confirmed a brand new crossover with SpongeBob SquarePants, and players are already buzzing about what’s coming.

The collaboration, officially called the Undersea Restaurant Event, introduces special skins based on characters from the iconic Nickelodeon cartoon. So far, only splash art has been revealed, but it’s enough to get fans excited.

Preview tampilan event MLBB x Spongebob bernama Undersea Restaurant pic.twitter.com/MkL3gXaTO5

— aceunyil (@aceunyil) September 13, 2025

Cyclops will be getting a SpongeBob SquarePants skin, while Gloo is set to transform into Patrick Star. The designs were first leaked by well-known dataminer aceunyil, who also confirmed that the Cyclops SpongeBob skin can be unlocked for free during the event.

Dikonfirmasi melalui event MLBB x Spongebob, skin Cyclops “Spongebob” bisa didapatkan secara gratis! pic.twitter.com/TqNCY4FXM2

— aceunyil (@aceunyil) September 13, 2025

Translation: “Confirmed through the MLBB x SpongeBob event, the Cyclops ‘SpongeBob’ skin can be obtained for free!”

Preview tampilan event MLBB x Spongebob bernama Undersea Restaurant pic.twitter.com/MkL3gXaTO5

— aceunyil (@aceunyil) September 13, 2025

Translation: “Preview of the MLBB x SpongeBob event called Undersea Restaurant.”

While Moonton hasn’t shared full in-game previews yet, the early artwork shows off colourful, cartoon-inspired makeovers that stay true to the light-hearted spirit of SpongeBob and Patrick. More details about gameplay effects, animations, and how to obtain the skins are expected to roll out as the event draws closer.

This isn’t the first time Mobile Legends has teamed up with big pop culture brands, but the SpongeBob crossover has quickly become one of the most talked-about thanks to its nostalgic appeal. Expect even more players to log in when the event officially goes live.

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Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s M7 World Championship is shaping up to be one of the biggest esports events of early 2026. MOONTON has officially revealed how the 22 slots will be distributed across regions, and fans are already buzzing about who will make it to Jakarta, Indonesia, when the tournament kicks off in January.

The Regional Slot Allocation for the M7 World Championship

14 Main Stage Teams with 2 Wild Card Advance Teams will battle for the World Champion title

Get ready for an EPIC tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia 👏#MLBBEsports #M7 pic.twitter.com/NT8cvpY3UN

— MLBB Esports Official (@mlbbesports_en) August 30, 2025

Indonesia Returns as Host

Indonesia will once again take the spotlight as the host nation, marking the second time the country has welcomed the M World Championship. Jakarta is set to be the stage where the best Mobile Legends teams from across the globe battle it out for the ultimate crown and a share of the $1 million prize pool.

The event was originally planned for December 2025, but due to the SEA Games taking place in Thailand during that month, M7 has been pushed to January. The SEA Games will also feature esports titles such as Arena of Valor, Free Fire, MLBB, and EA Sports FC Online, with both male and female tournaments in MLBB.

Wildcard Stage Expands

The Wildcard stage continues to be one of the most exciting parts of the M World Championship. This time, eight regions will compete for two available spots in the main event, doubling the opportunity compared to M6 where only one Wildcard team advanced.

The regions in the Wildcard include:

• Vietnam
• China
• Eastern Europe & Central Asia (EECA)
• Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
• Turkey
• Mongolia
• Japan
• Mekong

One of the biggest highlights is Japan making its return to the M World Championship for the first time since M2, following its appearance at the MLBB Mid-Season Cup in Riyadh earlier this year.

Main Event Slot Distribution

A total of 16 teams will compete in the main event. Here’s how the slots are divided:

• 2 slots each: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia
• 1 slot each: Myanmar, China, EECA, MENA, Turkey, Latin America (LATAM), Singapore, Cambodia
• 2 slots: Wildcard winners

Image Credit: MOONTON

This makes up the 16 main event contenders who will clash in Jakarta for the title of world champion.

The Big Omission: North America

One of the most surprising updates is that North America has been left out entirely. The region does not have a slot in either the main event or the Wildcard stage.

This decision follows the decline of the North America Challenger Tournament (NACT), which has been scaled down in recent editions. The controversy surrounding BTK at MSC 2025 also played a role, where the team was disqualified after some players competed in rival MOBA title Honor of Kings. Afterward, BTK announced its move to Honor of Kings, with star player Michael “MobaZane” Cosgun even appearing at the Honor of Kings World Cup 2025.

With North America out of the picture, the competitive balance of the M7 World Championship could see big shifts, opening the door for new regions to rise.

Why M7 Matters More Than Ever

Mobile Legends has continued to grow its global footprint, with expansions into regions like Azerbaijan and record-breaking brand value numbers from past events. The M7 World Championship stands as the pinnacle of MLBB esports, and this year feels even more significant with new faces in the Wildcard and powerhouse regions like Indonesia and the Philippines doubling their chances.

Fans are eager to see if the SEA dominance continues or if we’ll witness an underdog story from emerging regions. With the tournament set for January 2026, the countdown has officially begun.

The post Mobile Legends M7 World Championship Slot Allocation Revealed appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG) is stepping into the esports arena with its first-ever global tournament, launching alongside Season 3: Cosmic Traders on 20 August. With brand-new synergies, a revamped Go Go Auction system, and a worldwide leaderboard, this marks the game’s most competitive season yet.

Image Credit: Moonton Entertainment

A new stage for competition

MOONTON Games is opening the doors for MCGG players everywhere to compete on the global stage. While full details on the tournament format are still to come, the developer has confirmed it will be open, accessible, and inclusive, a milestone moment for the title’s competitive future.

Gao “Skyhook” Chong, MCGG’s Producer, called it “a huge milestone in evolving MCGG’s competitive ecosystem,” emphasising the focus on community growth and long-term esports ambitions.

Synergies shake-up and auction battles

Season 3 introduces five new synergies, Aspirants, Metro Zero, Luminexus, Starwing, and Shadowcell, replacing the original lineup entirely. Alongside this, the new Go Go Auction lets players bid for powerful items, with opponents able to outbid up to three times. Big spenders can even lock in an item instantly for 20 Gold, though each player can only hold one.

Image Credit: Moonton Entertainment

This overhaul means the game won’t just look different, it’ll play differently too, keeping the competitive scene fresh as players adapt to the new meta.

From local ranks to global glory

Another key addition is the commander ranking system, which allows players to climb from local leaderboards to a worldwide stage. This connects directly to the global tournament, giving competitive players a clear path from casual play to international competition.

Image Credit: Moonton Entertainment

Aiming to match TFT’s momentum

The move comes hot on the heels of Teamfight Tactics’ success at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, where the autobattler drew major attention as a headline event. By creating a global tournament structure, MOONTON is clearly aiming to give MCGG the same kind of stage presence and long-term sustainability in esports.

Image via esportscharts.com

With more than 20 million pre-registrations at launch and strong traction across Southeast Asia, the game already has a huge player base. Now, it’s looking to turn that casual popularity into a structured competitive scene that could rival the likes of TFT.

A cosmic leap forward

Season 3 of Magic Chess: Go Go isn’t just a content update, it’s a leap into esports. With new synergies, fresh mechanics, and a global tournament, MCGG is gearing up to put itself firmly on the competitive gaming map.

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