ByteDance Shifts US Publishing to Skystone in Major Overhaul

• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and other popular titles are transitioning to a new publisher.
• In the US, ByteDance is stepping back from publishing these games.
• Skystone Games, a US-based company, is taking over and will release region-specific versions.

The news of the TikTok ban earlier this year grabbed headlines worldwide, but for mobile gaming enthusiasts, the real shock came from the sudden removal of top games like Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang from app stores. These removals were part of a broader political push to force ByteDance to divest from TikTok, its flagship social media platform.

Although TikTok has since returned online, the same cannot be said for many of ByteDance's mobile games. Marvel Snap was quick to adapt, announcing a partnership with Skystone Games, which now holds the publishing rights for virtually all of ByteDance's US releases.

Touch the skyThe unexpected involvement of mobile games in political maneuvers was not on anyone's bingo card for this year. For players, the transition to Skystone Games means they can continue enjoying their favorite games, either as they were or through new US-specific versions.

However, this situation is far from ideal. The use of games as pawns in political games is unsettling for both players and developers. As the deadline for TikTok's potential sale approaches, the impact on apps and their related games could set a precedent for future incidents, potentially leading to more disruptions in the gaming world.