Have you ever played the hit mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang? Today let's go and explore its base Moonton.
Liu Liangbing from Moonton Public Affairs stated, "Our company like most game firms was founded in 2014. The very year it launched this game won Google Play's Most Competitive Game of 2016."
MLBB has taken over 200 countries and regions by storm, especially in Southeast Asia. A key reason for that is the cultural identity in the game.
"For Indonesia we created a hero called Gatotkaca. His status in the local mythology of Indonesia is similar to Sun Wukong's in China. To design this hero right we consulted local folklorists and collaborated with a local artist who specializes in depicting Gatotkaca creating his image for the game." he mentioned, "Southeast Asian players may feel that this Chinese company truly respects them and so they show respect and affection for us in return."
In MLBB you can have Zhao Yun team up with Gatotkaca to defend the Great Wall or see the Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu jungling alongside Chang'e. The 5v5 competitive mode enables players to freely choose any hero they like to battle together. The game has even been dubbed the 'National Game' in over a dozen countries including Indonesia and Singapore. Its main market spans countries and regions along the Belt and Road having wide global influence.
Liu Liangbing said, "Right now about one in every four people locally is our player. Our game features over 30 countries and regions' folkloric and cultural legendary figures. We have the most players in Southeast Asia and our ecosystem there including electronic sports and fan communities is the most mature. That's why we believe hosting the world championship in Southeast Asia guarantees the best viewership and event impact."
Since its founding in July 2014 in Hongqiao Minhang, the company has grown from a 20-person team to a studio with over 1,800 employees during the 11 years. This growth is inseparable from the fertile business environment and the collaborative development of the regional e-sports industry.
"Talent recruitment and settlement and needs like talent apartments. The local government has actively helped us. We have abundant resources here and the neighboring companies whether peers like Blokees, Lilith Games and NIO or software firms outside gaming are also rooted here. Overall we find that being based in Hongqiao and the Tech Oasis is beneficial for the development of both our company and the industry." he also said.
