Here’s the deal. On March 20, we got the scoop that Savvy Games Group, a Saudi-based gaming giant, has finally inked a deal with ByteDance to acquire Shanghai-based gaming company, Moonton, for a whopping $60 billion.
According to multiple sources, the two companies started negotiating in the second half of 2025, and the core terms were agreed upon early this year. Industry analysts believe that Savvy’s move is all about filling the gaps in its Asian gaming market strategy, and Moonton’s strong roots in Southeast Asia will help the Saudi company quickly tap into the region’s emerging gaming market, completing its global gaming industry map.
As the largest MOBA mobile game developer and publisher in Southeast Asia, Moonton’s core competitiveness is the crown jewel of this deal. Its flagship product, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, has been a national phenomenon in Southeast Asia since its launch in 2016. Moonton has also built a mature esports ecosystem, with extreme localization and a perfect tournament system, leading the Southeast Asian MOBA market for years.
What’s worth noting is that ByteDance is offering Moonton employees a pretty sweet deal: according to a company-wide email sent by Zhang Yunfan, the head of gaming business, ByteDance will provide multiple incentive plans based on historical performance contributions. Additionally, new attractive incentive schemes will be introduced based on future performance. The email also emphasizes that Moonton’s management structure will remain unchanged after the deal, with Zhang Yunfan serving as CEO.
ByteDance’s decision to sell Moonton is widely seen as a strategic move to focus on its core business. Insiders close to the company revealed that due to massive investments in AI and rising chip prices, ByteDance’s profits have been declining since the fourth quarter of 2025. Selling Moonton is not only a good deal but also a demonstration of ByteDance’s commitment to its core AI strategy.
