Savvy Games Group Buys Mobile Game Developer Moonton for $6 Billion

On March 20, 2026, the gaming world witnessed a massive shift as the Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group announced its intent to acquire the mobile developer Moonton Games from ByteDance for over $6 billion.

This significant deal marks ByteDance's continued move to exit the gaming industry, allowing the company to focus its resources on artificial intelligence.

Moonton, the creator of the wildly popular MOBA title Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, will retain its current leadership and Shanghai headquarters.

For Savvy Games Group, this purchase is a strategic expansion into the mobile sector and a key step in Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to become a global hub for esports.

With over 1.5 billion lifetime installs, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang provides an immediate, powerful presence in international markets, including Southeast Asia.

This acquisition continues a trend of rapid industry consolidation, following Savvy's previous high-profile purchases of companies like Scopely.

As regulatory approvals move forward, the move highlights Saudi Arabia's role as a major player in the future of global gaming, positioning the nation at the center of the industry's most significant investments.