ByteDance in Talks With Savvy Games Group to Sell Moonton Games

ByteDance has entered preliminary discussions with Savvy Games Group regarding the potential sale of Moonton Games, the developer behind the popular title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. This development marks a renewed effort by ByteDance to divest from the gaming studio, following a previously abandoned attempt to sell the asset last year. While the current negotiations remain in the early stages and do not guarantee a finalized transaction, the move suggests a strategic pivot by ByteDance to prioritize other core business operations.

The potential acquisition aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy by investing heavily in the global gaming, entertainment, and tourism sectors. Savvy Games Group, which is wholly owned by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has already established a significant footprint in the industry through the ownership of companies such as SNK Corporation and Scopely, as well as major esports entities like the ESL FACEIT Group.

ByteDance originally acquired Moonton Games in 2021 at a valuation of approximately $4 billion. The current interest from Savvy Games Group reflects the PIF’s ongoing aggressive expansion into the gaming market, exemplified by its recent involvement in a $55 billion investor consortium aimed at taking Electronic Arts private. As these discussions progress, the outcome will depend on regulatory approvals and the strategic alignment of both parties, highlighting the continued consolidation of gaming assets under state-backed investment vehicles.