News & Updates

Mobile Legends Temporarily Suspended in the U.S., Moonton Announces

MOONTON Games, the developer of the globally popular mobile game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has announced the temporary suspension of the game in the United States. The announcement was made via Moonton’s official Reddit page, leaving North American players grappling with uncertainty.

What Happened?

According to MOONTON, the decision to suspend the game was made due to “unforeseen circumstances” that Moonton did not specify in detail. The announcement reads:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, access to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the US will unfortunately be temporarily suspended starting January 19, 2025. Although we are unable to provide service in the US, we encourage you to stay updated by following our official community channels for the latest news. We deeply value our vibrant player community and are actively exploring possibilities to bring the game back in the future. Services in other regions will remain available as usual,” an official spokesperson from MOONTON Games said.

TikTok Banned in the U.S.

Although MOONTON did not mention it, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and MOONTON Games, decided to shut down its operations in the U.S. following a Supreme Court decision on January 17 that upheld a law enacted in April that prohibits American companies from hosting or providing services for the Chinese-owned company.

TikTok Ban
A screenshot of Tiktok’s interface by a user in the U.S. Image: Peter Bryce Lozano
Mobile Legends Banned in the U.S.
A screenshot of MLBB’s interface by a user in the U.S. Image: Peter Bryce Lozano

Impact on the Community

This news comes as a significant blow to the thriving MLBB community in North America, which has grown steadily over the years. The game is widely celebrated for its fast-paced gameplay and competitive esports scene. U.S.-based teams and players have increasingly made their mark on the global MLBB stage, making the suspension all the more disheartening for fans and competitors alike.

What’s Next?

While Moonton has assured players that this suspension is temporary, it has provided no clear timeline or additional information. Players are advised to stay updated by following official announcements on Moonton’s social media channels and forums.

For now, North American fans and players can only hope that the situation is resolved swiftly, allowing them to return to the Land of Dawn as soon as possible.