TikTok owner ByteDance is in advanced talks to sell its major gaming studio, Shanghai Moonton Technology, to a Saudi Arabian company. Sources familiar with the negotiations state the deal with Savvy Games Group is valued between $6 billion and $7 billion. This massive sale involves the studio behind the global hit Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Negotiators have reportedly reached an initial agreement on the broad terms. One insider suggested the companies could sign the final paperwork as soon as this current quarter. While neither company offered an official comment, this report marks the first time anyone has revealed the specific price tag and timeline for the transaction.
This sale represents a significant pivot for ByteDance. The Chinese tech giant is retreating from the video game industry after trying to break in just a few years ago. ByteDance originally bought Moonton in 2021 for roughly $4 billion to challenge rivals like Tencent. Selling it now for up to $7 billion would turn a healthy profit, but it confirms that ByteDance is refocusing its energy elsewhere.
For the buyer, this is another aggressive move. Savvy Games Group, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is spending billions to become a dominant force in gaming. They recently bought mobile game maker Scopely for $4.9 billion in 2023. Adding Moonton gives them control of a massive intellectual property. Mobile Legends has over 1.5 billion downloads and boasts 110 million monthly active players, ranking in the top 10 most-played games in over 80 countries.
Even as it steps back from gaming, ByteDance is financially stronger than ever. The company recently surpassed Facebook owner Meta in revenue during the first half of 2025, cementing its spot as the world’s top social media company by sales. With a valuation climbing past $330 billion, the company is streamlining its business while its core social platforms continue to grow.
