Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group is poised to acquire ByteDance’s gaming unit, Moonton, in a deal valued between $6 billion and $7 billion, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations. The potential sale, currently in advanced talks, would represent a significant expansion of Saudi Arabia’s investment in the global gaming industry and a notable shift in ByteDance’s gaming strategy.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, purchased Moonton in 2021 for $4 billion. The forthcoming deal with Savvy Games Group would represent a premium of over 50% on that valuation, reflecting the growth of Moonton’s portfolio and the increasing appeal of the mobile gaming market. The “broad terms” of the transaction are reportedly already agreed upon, with a potential announcement as early as March, though the deal remains subject to regulatory approvals.
Moonton is best known for its massively popular mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has surpassed one billion downloads worldwide. Beyond Mobile Legends, Moonton’s offerings include the auto battler Magic Chess: Go Go, the role-playing game Silver and Blood, and the cooperative vertical shooter Acecraft. Acecraft, a recent release, has drawn attention for its visual style, which some players have noted draws heavily from Cuphead, featuring cartoon characters as fighter pilots.
Savvy Games Group, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has been aggressively pursuing investments in the gaming sector. This potential acquisition of Moonton follows Savvy’s ongoing efforts to acquire Electronic Arts, a deal that has yet to be finalized. The Saudi investment fund aims to establish the country as a global hub for gaming and esports. The fund’s strategy involves acquiring stakes in prominent game developers and publishers, as well as investing in esports teams and events.
Acecraft experienced an unexpected outage for U.S. Players last month, with Moonton promising compensation upon its return. The game remains unavailable in the U.S. As of February 16, 2026. The reason for the outage remains undisclosed.
ByteDance’s decision to divest Moonton comes as the company navigates a complex regulatory landscape and focuses on its core businesses, including TikTok and its expanding e-commerce operations. The sale would allow ByteDance to realize a substantial profit on its 2021 investment and streamline its gaming portfolio. As of February 16, 2026, neither ByteDance nor Savvy Games Group have publicly commented on the status of the negotiations.
