Rumor de adquisición de Moonton: Grupo saudí cerca de un acuerdo de juegos $6B
Moonton Acquisition Rumor points toward a massive shift in the mobile gaming landscape as 2026 begins with high-stakes negotiations.
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The gaming world is buzzing with reports that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is finalizing a deal to sell its primary gaming studio to Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group.
Valued between $6 billion and $7 billion, this transaction would represent one of the most significant cross-border acquisitions in the history of the Chinese gaming industry.
As the industry moves toward consolidation, understanding the motivations behind this $6 billion deal is essential for investors and players alike.
This article explores the current status of the negotiations, the strategic goals of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and what this means for the future of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
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Summary of Key Deal Points
- The Buyer: Savvy Games Group (owned by Saudi Arabia’s PIF).
- The Seller: ByteDance (parent company of TikTok).
- Target Asset: Moonton Technology (developer of Mobile Legends).
- Estimated Value: $6 billion to $7 billion.
- Projected Timeline: Expected finalization by the end of Q1 2026.
What is the current status of the Moonton Acquisition Rumor?
Reliable industry sources and recent reports from Reuters indicate that ByteDance and Savvy Games Group have reached a preliminary agreement on broad terms.
This latest Moonton Acquisition Rumor suggests that the deal could be officially announced before the end of March 2026. Negotiations reportedly intensified in late 2025 after a brief period of stagnation due to valuation disagreements between the two tech giants.
ByteDance originally acquired Moonton in 2021 for approximately $4 billion, outbidding Tencent in a high-profile corporate battle.
However, by late 2023, the TikTok owner began a massive restructuring of its gaming division, Nuverse. This strategic pivot aims to divest from “hardcore” game development to focus more on generative AI and short-form video commerce.
Why is Savvy Games Group offering $6B for Moonton?
The Saudi government, through its “Vision 2030” initiative, aims to transform the Kingdom into a global hub for gaming and esports.
By acquiring Moonton, Savvy Games Group gains immediate control over Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), a title with over 1.5 billion downloads.
This game is not just a software product; it is a cultural phenomenon in Southeast Asia and a pillar of the global mobile esports ecosystem.
Savvy Games Group has been on an aggressive spending spree to diversify its economy away from oil. Following the $4.9 billion purchase of Scopely in 2023 and the $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic’s game division in 2025, Moonton represents the missing piece in their mobile MOBA portfolio.
De acuerdo a PocketGamer.biz, this deal would solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a dominant force in the Asian gaming market.
Moonton Acquisition Comparison (2021 vs. 2026)
| Característica | 2021 Acquisition (ByteDance) | 2026 Rumored Deal (Savvy Games) |
| Transaction Value | ~$4 Billion | $6 – $7 Billion |
| Active Users (MAU) | ~90 Million | ~110+ Million |
| Primary Market | Southeast Asia / China | Global / Middle East Expansion |
| Strategic Goal | To challenge Tencent’s dominance | To lead the “Vision 2030” gaming hub |
| Status | Completed | Advanced Negotiations |
How does this deal impact Mobile Legends: Bang Bang players?
Players often worry that a change in ownership might lead to drastic shifts in monetization or gameplay balance.
However, Savvy Games Group has historically maintained a “hands-off” approach with its acquisitions, such as Scopely and SNK.
El Moonton Acquisition Rumor implies that the current development team in Shanghai will likely remain in place to ensure service continuity.
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If the deal goes through, fans can expect even larger prize pools for the M-Series World Championships. With the Saudi PIF’s backing, the infrastructure for esports in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will likely see exponential growth.
This capital injection could also accelerate the development of new titles within the Mobile Legends universe, potentially expanding the IP into new genres.
Which other companies are involved in the Saudi gaming expansion?
The acquisition of Moonton is part of a much larger consolidation strategy led by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
In early 2026, the PIF shifted approximately $12 billion worth of gaming shares—including stakes in Nintendo and Bandai Namco—to Savvy Games Group. This move centralizes their gaming assets under one corporate umbrella to streamline management and future dealmaking.
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- Electronic Arts (EA): The PIF remains a major investor in the ongoing consolidation of EA.
- Nintendo: Savvy now manages a nearly 10% stake in the Japanese giant.
- Capcom and Nexon: Significant minority positions are held to ensure industry influence.
What are the risks and challenges for the Moonton deal?
Despite the optimism, the Moonton Acquisition Rumor faces potential hurdles regarding international regulations.
Cross-border acquisitions involving Chinese tech assets are under increased scrutiny by global regulators. Furthermore, ByteDance must ensure that the transition of user data and intellectual property complies with China’s strict data security laws, which have become more rigorous since 2024.
There is also the matter of valuation. While $6 billion is a significant premium over the 2021 price, some analysts argue that Moonton’s reliance on a single major title (MLBB) makes it a high-risk asset.
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Savvy Games Group will need to prove that they can grow the brand beyond its traditional Southeast Asian stronghold to justify the multi-billion-dollar price tag.
Conclusión
El Moonton Acquisition Rumor highlights the relentless pace of consolidation within the $200 billion global gaming industry.
For ByteDance, selling Moonton represents a pragmatic exit from a sector that proved more difficult to conquer than anticipated.
For Saudi Arabia, it is a definitive statement of intent, securing one of the world’s most valuable mobile e-sports properties.
As we move closer to the end of the first quarter of 2026, all eyes remain on Riyadh and Shanghai. If the deal closes at the rumored $6 billion mark, it will reshape the competitive landscape of mobile gaming for the next decade.
For more technical insights into the evolving landscape of global tech mergers, visit Reuters Technology News for real-time updates.
FAQ: Preguntas frecuentes
Is Moonton being sold to Saudi Arabia?
While not yet officially confirmed by either party, multiple high-authority sources report that negotiations are in the “advanced stages” with an agreement on broad terms already reached.
How much is the Moonton acquisition worth?
The current Moonton Acquisition Rumor puts the valuation between $6 billion and $7 billion, which is a significant increase from its $4 billion valuation in 2021.
Will Mobile Legends: Bang Bang be shut down?
No. On the contrary, the acquisition by Savvy Games Group is intended to provide more resources for the game’s global expansion and the growth of its professional esports leagues.
Why is ByteDance selling Moonton?
ByteDance is shifting its corporate focus away from hardcore gaming development to concentrate on AI, e-commerce, and its core social media platform, TikTok.
When will the deal be finalized?
Industry insiders suggest that the transaction could be finalized and publicly announced by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
++ Shanghai Moonton Technology Co. Ltd.
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