| Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | |
|---|---|
 Logo since 2023 | |
| Developer(s) | Moonton |
| Publisher(s) | Moonton Elex Technology |
| Designer(s) | Skyhook[2] |
| Engine | Unity[3] |
| Platform(s) | Android, iOS |
| Release | Android
|
| Genre(s) | Multiplayer online battle arena |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is a mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed and published by Chinese developer Moonton, a subsidiary of ByteDance. The game was released in 2016 and grew in popularity, most prominently in Southeast Asia.[4]
At its base gameplay, the game puts 2 teams of 5 against each other in real time with at least 20-60 second matchmaking and 10-30 minute matches. Featuring traditional battle arena gameplay, players must fight over three lanes to take the enemy's tower and defend their own while securing objectives in order to pressure the opposing team. Like classic MOBAs, there is no hero training to level up or pay to play angle—winners and losers are decided based on skill, ability, and strategy.[5]
Following success, Moonton has tapped into the esports scene with the creation of several regional tournaments dubbed as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) that serves as a qualifier for the Mobile Legends World Championships.[6] It was among the six games chosen for the first medal event of esports competition at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) held in the Philippines.[7] The game was also a medal event in the last SEA Games in Cambodia and will be one too in 2025, to be held in Thailand.[8]
Originally named Mobile Legends: 5v5 MOBA,[9] the initial release of the game in 2016 was met with criticism citing similarities with another MOBA game, League of Legends. As a result, Riot Games filed a lawsuit against Moonton for copyright infringement on two separate occasions: in July 2017 and May 2022.[10][11] In June 2020, the game was banned in India along with 58 other Chinese apps due to security concerns by the government.[12]
- ^ Wasid, Ahmed (11 August 2019). "Is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang the next big mobile esport?". DotEsports.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Bhatiya, Rajiv (30 December 2021). "MLBB Developers Talk About Their Journey And The Roadmap For The Future 5 Years". Flizzyy. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ Low, Aloysius (18 July 2019). "Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is getting an engine update | ONE Esports - The Home Of Esports". ONE Esports. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
- ^ Racoma, Arthur (4 July 2021). "Why Mobile Legends is so popular in South East Asia (SEA) region". Gaming on Phone. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "MOONTON Games' Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Gets a Major Refresh and Exclusive Content for 5th Anniversary". IGN. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Rossel, John Dave (3 September 2021). "What is MPL? A Brief History of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League". AFK Gaming. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Tuting, Kristine (4 December 2019). "Esports at SEA Games 2019: Everything you need to know". One Esports. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ BERNAMA (13 November 2024). "MLBB CONFIRMED FOR 2025 SEA GAMES IN THAILAND". BERNAMA. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Barreiro, Victor Jr. (11 July 2017). "Riot Games sues mobile game developer for copyright infringement". Rappler. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ Mickunas, Aaron (18 July 2018). "Riot Games parent Tencent wins $2.9 million in lawsuit against Moonton CEO". Dot Esports. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
- ^ Elona, Jules (23 November 2022). "US court dismisses Riot Games' copyright infringement lawsuit against Moonton". One Esports. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Government Bans 59 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.