ByteDance has agreed to sell its mobile game studio, Moonton, to Savvy Games Group for more than $6 billion, according to multiple sources close to the deal. The agreement, signed by both parties, is subject to regulatory approvals.
Savvy Games, a Riyadh-headquartered gaming and esports conglomerate, is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The acquisition will transfer ownership of Moonton, the developer of the popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, to the Saudi-backed firm.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang currently boasts approximately 110 million monthly active users and has been downloaded over 1.5 billion times, establishing it as a leading title in the mobile gaming market and a significant force in esports.
According to a statement released by Moonton’s CEO, the acquisition will provide the studio with “broader development opportunities” and enable it to deliver a “better gameplay experience to more players around the world.” A ByteDance spokesperson described the transaction as “a natural next step” in the studio’s evolution.
Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games, stated that the acquisition aligns with the company’s goal to “enable prosperity and connection through play” and to “drive long-term growth and innovation in games and esports.” He added that the deal will strengthen Savvy’s position in mobile gaming, expand its talent pool, and broaden its global reach.
The sale of Moonton represents a significant move for ByteDance, the Chinese tech giant behind TikTok, as it refocuses its gaming strategy. The deal comes after reports surfaced in February 2026 indicating ByteDance was preparing to sell Moonton for a price between $6 billion and $7 billion.
Savvy Games’ parent company, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has been actively investing in the gaming sector. Recently, the Electronic Gaming Development Company, also backed by Saudi Arabia, acquired a 5% stake in Capcom.
The completion of the transaction remains contingent upon securing the necessary regulatory approvals.
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