Moonton Moves to Saudi‑Backed Buyer

ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, has decided to hand over its gaming studio Moonton to a Saudi‑backed firm. Moonton is best known for the hit mobile title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has millions of players worldwide. The deal was announced in Hong Kong on March 20 and is expected to be worth more than $6 billion, according to insider sources. Earlier reports in February mentioned that the studio was negotiating with Savvy Games Group, a global gaming and e‑sports firm owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).Savvy is expanding its portfolio through acquisitions and new projects, aiming to become a major player in the gaming industry. This sale marks a significant move for ByteDance, which has been focusing on its core social media businesses while divesting from certain gaming assets. The transaction reflects a broader trend of Saudi investment in digital entertainment, as the country seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil. With Moonton now under Saudi ownership, fans of Mobile Legends can expect continued support and potential new releases in the coming years.