Saudi Arabia Invests Over $6 Billion to Expand Its Presence in the Video Game Industry

Savvy Games, backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has struck a deal with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to acquire Moonton Games for $6 billion. This figure is just a billion short of Microsoft’s 2021 purchase of Bethesda. This acquisition is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to secure significant assets in the gaming sector.

Savvy CEO Brian Ward emphasized the importance of this acquisition, stating it aligns with the company’s goal to foster prosperity and connection through gaming for future generations. He noted that the deal will bolster Savvy’s position in mobile gaming, enhance its talent pool, expand its global presence, and improve its influence in esports.

Moonton, a subsidiary of ByteDance based in Shanghai, is known for its successful free-to-play mobile games, including the 2016 hit Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has surpassed a billion downloads. Recently, the company launched Acecraft, a cooperative vertical shooter that combines the animation style of Cuphead with well-known licensed cartoon characters.

In 2023, Savvy acquired Scopely, the maker of Monopoly Go, for $5 billion, and in 2025, it purchased Niantic, the developer behind Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion. The company also holds significant stakes in Embracer, Take-Two, and various esports organizations. Saudi Arabia’s gaming investments extend beyond Savvy, with interests in Capcom, SNK Corporation, and other gaming firms. The crown jewel of its portfolio is a $50 billion leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts, expected to finalize this summer.

The gaming landscape is rapidly consolidating, driven by major acquisitions from companies like Microsoft and significant investments from giants like Tencent. Notably, these entities are not directly controlled by a monarch who has reportedly played a role in escalating tensions in the U.S. conflict with Iran.