Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Receives Game Approval in China

The National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) of China officially granted game approval to Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in April 2023. This regulatory milestone marks the conclusion of a seven-year wait for the title, which was originally released in 2016. The approval was part of a broader batch of 86 mobile game licenses issued by Chinese authorities, all of which were domestic releases.

The approval process required Moonton, a developer owned by ByteDance, to partner with a third-party entity, East China Normal University Electronic Audiovisual Press Co., Ltd., to facilitate the application. This is the same publishing partner that previously assisted with the Chinese release of Riot Games’ Valorant. By securing this license, Moonton gains a critical entry point into the Chinese esports market, where the game is positioned to compete against established titles like Honor of Kings.

While MLBB has already achieved significant international success, particularly in Southeast Asia—where its M4 World Championship reached 4.2 million peak concurrent users—this regulatory clearance represents a strategic expansion into Mainland China. The development underscores the ongoing importance of navigating local publishing requirements and government oversight for international developers seeking to establish a footprint within the Chinese gaming ecosystem.