ByteDance in Talks to Sell Moonton to Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group: What It Means for Mobile Legends and the Gaming Industry
- Why Is ByteDance Selling Moonton?
- Mobile Legends: Still a Global Esports Powerhouse
- ByteDance’s Valuation Hits $480 Billion Amid AI Chip Restrictions
- The Saudi Gaming Play: Why Savvy Wants Moonton
- FAQs: ByteDance, Moonton, and the Gaming Shakeup
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly negotiating the sale of its gaming studio Moonton (creator of) to Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group. This MOVE signals ByteDance’s strategic pivot away from gaming toward e-commerce, while Moonton’s flagship title continues to dominate esports. Meanwhile, ByteDance’s valuation soars to $480 billion amid AI chip restrictions in China. Here’s the full breakdown.
Why Is ByteDance Selling Moonton?
ByteDance acquired Moonton in 2021 for $4 billion, aiming to compete in the global gaming market. However, recent reports suggest the company is scaling back its gaming ambitions to focus on e-commerce and AI-driven ventures. Talks with Savvy Games Group—a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund—highlight the Middle East’s growing influence in gaming investments. If finalized, this deal WOULD mark ByteDance’s exit from the gaming sector, a stark reversal from its earlier ambitions.
Mobile Legends: Still a Global Esports Powerhouse
Despite the potential sale,remains a titan in mobile esports. In 2025, MLBB accounted for over 25% of viewership at the Esports World Cup (EWC), racking up 50.32 million watch hours. Its popularity in Southeast Asia and the Middle East makes it a prized asset for Savvy Games Group, which has been aggressively expanding its gaming portfolio. The title is also confirmed to return to EWC 2026, ensuring its continued relevance.
ByteDance’s Valuation Hits $480 Billion Amid AI Chip Restrictions
ByteDance’s valuation surged to $480 billion after a heated auction for its shares, led by Chinese investment firm Capital Today. This places it close to OpenAI ($500 billion) and ahead of SpaceX ($400 billion). However, the company faces headwinds in China, where authorities have barred it from using Nvidia’s AI chips in new data centers. Instead, Beijing is pushing domestic alternatives, complicating ByteDance’s AI infrastructure plans.
The Saudi Gaming Play: Why Savvy Wants Moonton
Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has been on a spending spree, acquiring stakes in Nintendo, Capcom, and ESL Gaming. Adding Moonton would give Savvy control over one of the most lucrative mobile esports titles, aligning with its goal to turn Saudi Arabia into a global gaming hub. For ByteDance, the sale would free up resources to double down on TikTok Shop and AI projects.
FAQs: ByteDance, Moonton, and the Gaming Shakeup
What does this mean for Mobile Legends players?
For now, nothing changes. MLBB’s operations and esports commitments (like EWC 2026) are expected to continue uninterrupted. Savvy’s DEEP pockets could even mean more investment in the game’s competitive scene.
Why is ByteDance leaving gaming?
The company is reallocating resources to higher-growth areas like e-commerce and AI. Gaming, while profitable, requires heavy R&D and faces stiff competition from Tencent and Sony.
How does this affect ByteDance’s stock?
Private market valuations suggest investor confidence in its non-gaming ventures. The $480 billion tag reflects Optimism about TikTok’s monetization and AI advancements.
