ByteDance Sells Moonton to Saudi Firm for $6 Billion

In a major shift within the global gaming landscape, the China-based technology giant ByteDance has reached an agreement to sell Shanghai Moonton Technology, the developer behind the hit mobile title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. The studio is being acquired by Savvy Games Group, a Riyadh-based firm owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. While official financial terms were not disclosed in the announcement from Hong Kong, sources familiar with the matter indicate the transaction values Moonton at more than $6 billion. This figure aligns with previous reports suggesting a deal between $6 billion and $7 billion for the studio, which ByteDance originally purchased in 2021 for approximately $4 billion through its Nuverse gaming division. The divestment marks a strategic pivot for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, as it increasingly prioritizes artificial intelligence. The company is currently developing proprietary chips and advanced large language models to compete in a crowded AI market. Meanwhile, Savvy Games Group continues its aggressive expansion into the international gaming and e-sports sectors through high-profile acquisitions. Regarding the future of the studio, Zhang Yunfan, CEO of Moonton, informed staff that the current management structure will remain in place and he will continue to lead the Shanghai-headquartered operations. > "The deal would help further strengthen our leadership in mobile games, deepen our talent pool, expand our global footprint, and enhance our reach across esports." These remarks from Savvy CEO Brian Ward highlight the buyer's intent to use the acquisition as a cornerstone for global growth. The agreement, which was first reported by a newspaper in Japan, underscores the ongoing consolidation within the video game industry as major players compete for intellectual property and broader distribution networks.