ByteDance Shifts US Publishing to Skystone Amid Major Restructuring

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and several other popular titles are now transitioning to a new publisher, marking a significant shift in their distribution strategy—particularly within the United States. ByteDance, previously responsible for publishing these games, will no longer handle releases in the US market. Instead, Skystone Games, a US-based publisher, is stepping in to take over with plans to launch region-specific versions of these titles.

Earlier this year, one of the most talked-about developments was the potential TikTok ban in the US, which sparked widespread concern across multiple industries—including mobile gaming. As part of heightened political pressure on ByteDance to divest from TikTok, several top-tier mobile games such as Marvel Snap and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang were abruptly removed from app stores, often without prior warning to developers or players.

Although TikTok has since resumed operations in the US, many of these affected games did not return immediately—if at all. In response, Marvel Snap swiftly announced its move to a new publishing partner, ultimately choosing Skystone Games. This transition proved to be a broader trend, as Skystone now holds publishing rights for nearly all of ByteDance's former US-released games.

Touch the sky

Few could have predicted that mobile gaming would become entangled in such high-stakes political drama. For players, however, this change brings relief, ensuring continued access to their favorite games through officially supported, localized versions.

Still, this situation raises concerns about the volatility of game availability when tied to geopolitical tensions. The precedent set here highlights how external regulatory pressures can directly impact digital entertainment—an issue that may continue to unfold as the deadline for a potential TikTok sale approaches.

The ripple effects of this scenario could influence future decisions regarding apps linked to politically scrutinized companies, potentially reshaping how global mobile games are published and maintained.