At a time when global gaming assets are drawing strong investor interest, ByteDance is reportedly in advanced discussions to sell Shanghai Moonton Technology, the studio behind the popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Sources said the potential transaction could be valued between $6 billion and $7 billion and may be concluded as early as this quarter.
The buyer in talks is Savvy Games Group, a gaming-focused company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. If finalised, the deal would represent one of the largest gaming studio acquisitions in recent years.
The proposed sale would also signal a significant strategic shift for ByteDance, which has been scaling back its presence in online gaming. The company began restructuring its gaming business in 2023, marking a retreat from the aggressive expansion it pursued earlier. ByteDance had acquired Shanghai Moonton Technology in 2021 for around $4 billion as part of its push into global gaming markets.
Savvy Games Group has been actively expanding its gaming portfolio through acquisitions, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambition to become a major global hub for gaming and esports. Adding Moonton to its portfolio would strengthen its position in the mobile gaming segment and provide access to a globally recognised intellectual property.
Industry watchers said the potential transaction highlights ongoing consolidation in the global gaming industry, as companies race to secure scale, popular franchises and long-term growth. With competition intensifying across platforms and regions, ownership of strong gaming IPs is increasingly seen as a strategic advantage.
While neither side has officially confirmed the talks, sources indicated negotiations are at an advanced stage. A successful deal would mark a clear exit by ByteDance from one of its most prominent gaming investments, while reinforcing Savvy Games Group’s growing influence in the international gaming landscape.
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