- Popular titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are transitioning to a new publisher
- ByteDance will cease publishing these games in the US market
- Skystone Games steps in as the new US publisher, offering regional versions
The TikTok ban earlier this year made headlines globally, but for mobile gamers, the real shock was seeing top-tier games abruptly removed from app stores. Marvel Snap, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and others disappeared overnight - sometimes without warning to developers or players.
These removals resulted from political pressure targeting ByteDance's ownership of TikTok. While TikTok eventually returned, many affected games faced prolonged absences. Marvel Snap acted swiftly, securing Skystone Games as their new US publisher - a role that now extends to nearly all ByteDance's former US game publications.
Reaching new heightsPolitical controversies weren't on my mobile gaming bingo card this year, but players will appreciate this resolution - ensuring continued access to their favorite games, albeit sometimes through region-specific versions.
However, this situation underscores an uncomfortable reality: our beloved games can become political pawns. Nobody benefits when entertainment becomes collateral damage in geopolitical disputes.
With TikTok's ownership deadline approaching, we're watching how app store politics might impact games published by tech conglomerates - a precedent that could affect future industry developments.
