The transaction could be finalised as early as this quarter, one of the sources said, while a second source indicated that both parties have already agreed on broad terms. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.
Neither ByteDance, Moonton nor Savvy Games Group responded immediately to Reuters’ requests for comment. Reuters is reporting the potential deal value and timeline for the first time.
A Major Shift in the Gaming Industry
The potential sale would be one of the latest major moves in an industry increasingly driven by consolidation, as companies seek stronger intellectual property portfolios, wider distribution networks, and global scale.
For ByteDance, the divestment would represent a significant retreat from the online gaming sector. The company announced in 2023 that it would restructure its gaming business following an internal review. ByteDance acquired Moonton in 2021 through its gaming unit Nuverse, paying about $4 billion at the time as it attempted to build an international gaming business capable of challenging established rivals.
Moonton, founded in 2014, describes itself as a global video game company focused on game development, publishing, and esports. According to its website, it employs more than 2,000 staff and maintains offices across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Latin America, and China. The company also claims that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has amassed over 1.5 billion installations, with more than 110 million monthly active users, ranking among the top 10 most-played games in more than 80 countries.
Savvy Games Group’s Acquisition Drive
Savvy Games Group, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has been aggressively expanding through acquisitions and investments. The group purchased mobile game maker Scopely in 2023 for $4.9 billion, and Scopely later acquired the game division of Niantic, the developer behind Pokemon Go, for $3.5 billion in March.
ByteDance’s Rising Valuation
The potential Moonton sale comes amid a surge in ByteDance’s valuation. Reuters has reported that ByteDance’s revenue in the first and second quarters of 2025 surpassed that of Meta, making ByteDance the world’s largest social media company by sales. In the third quarter, the company launched an employee share buyback at a valuation exceeding $330 billion, up 5.5% from a previous buyback earlier in the year.
If the Moonton sale goes through, it would mark a significant strategic pivot for ByteDance and reinforce Savvy Games Group’s growing influence in the global gaming market.