Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is set to become a truly global mobile game, as the title has been approved in one of the most populous countries of the world: China.
In a document published by China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) on April 18, the game titled “The Pinnacle of Decisive Victory” has been approved. MOONTON has decided to call the title by a separate name in China.
MLBB was first released way back in 2016, and despite its huge popularity particularly in SEA, never made its way to China. Earlier this year, however, MOONTON’s RPG title, MLBB Adventure, based in the same universe, earned its publishing license.
Now, MLBB is also making its way to the lucrative Chinese market. With a different name, it will likely be a separate game with distinct servers.
Source: MOONTON
MLBB’s China release could mean big revenue for MOONTON
The biggest effect of MLBB’s release in China would be the boost in revenue. China is perhaps the most lucrative market for mobile gaming. With a population of more than 1 billion people, the game has a significant market for hardcore titles like MLBB.
To put into perspective how much this is, Sensor Tower’s State of Mobile Gaming 2023 report gives the numbers. Honor of Kings, a mobile MOBA title which is only available in China, was the highest-grossing game in the world in 2022 with more than $2.8 billion in revenue. The game will also be MLBB’s chief competition in the region.
PUBG Mobile was the second-highest-grossing game last year with more than $2.1 billion in revenue. A huge chunk of this came from China’s localized version, called Peacekeeper Elite.
Thus, MOONTON might be on a path to a huge commercial upturn.
MLBB esports set to see huge boost because of China?
With such a large hardcore gaming crowd in China, the esports industry of the country is also unmatched. While there are no precise viewership numbers due to China’s streaming platforms’ opaqueness on the matter, top mobile esports leagues generate millions of views.
As a result, there are numerous esports organizations in the country which have the potential to invest huge sums into a game like MLBB.
MOONTON is also leaving no stone unturned as it said in a release that it “hopes for Chinese organizations to join the MLBB global esports ecosystem as soon as possible.”
MLBB esports is already one of the biggest mobile esport in the world. It has two franchised leagues as well in the Philippines and Indonesia. With the involvement of China, the esports scene for the game could grow leaps and fold.
While there are no official numbers on how much money MOONTON makes (if any at all) from MLBB esports, China’s evolved esports scene will bring a spike to that as well – especially in the long run.
Source: MOONTON
This can then be reinvested into the global esports ecosystem. MOONTON is already trying to grow the game worldwide with increased investments in North America, MENA, and Turkey. These regions have also been included in the MLBB SEA Cup 2023 for the first time this year.
Honor of Kings is the only thing in the game’s way
There is only one thing standing in MLBB’s way to becoming the undisputed kings of mobile MOBAs – Honor of Kings. The game already fought Wild Rift, but taking on Honor of Kings is a different story.
Honor of Kings is one of the most played and revenue-generating games in the world, despite only being available in China. The game was released back in 2015 so already has an eight-year head start in the region.
A still from an Honor of Kings tournament in China.
Honor of Kings is releasing worldwide later this year, while MLBB is coming to its home turf of China soon. The two games will undoubtedly be competing in the market.
Most likely, the two games will be able to rack up separate and loyal fan bases and co-exist. Nonetheless, the common MOBA mobile gamer is set for a lot of action in the near future.
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