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The Esports Advocate
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MOONTON, a ByteDance subsidiary, has introduced its flagship title, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), to the Chinese market.
Market Expansion. MLBB has officially launched in the Chinese market, integrating the region into its global esports ecosystem.
MOONTON, a subsidiary of ByteDance, has officially launched its flagship title, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), in the Chinese market. This expansion integrates the China region into the global MLBB esports ecosystem, featuring a structure that includes franchise slot fees and revenue-sharing opportunities for participants. The move positions the game as a direct competitor to Tencent’s Honor of Kings, which has long dominated the mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) sector in China.
The launch is supported by key strategic partnerships aimed at establishing a robust local esports presence. Smartphone manufacturer Realme has been named the official equipment provider for the Chinese tournament circuit. Additionally, the prominent esports organization Invictus Gaming has announced the formation of a dedicated MLBB division, marking a significant shift in its competitive focus following a recent corporate restructuring.
Globally, the title maintains a substantial footprint with over 1.5 billion users and 110 million monthly active users. While the game has achieved significant success outside of China—particularly in Southeast Asia with over 700 million downloads—the specific integration of the new Chinese domestic competition with international events, such as the Saudi Arabian-backed Esports World Cup, remains to be determined. This launch occurs despite previous industry speculation regarding ByteDance’s potential divestment from its gaming assets.
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The Esports Advocate · 2026
The Esports Advocate · 2026
PocketGamer.biz · 2026
