Exposing Mobile Legends: A 6 Billion Dollar Gaming Empire Built On Theft

Investigation into Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

The video presents an investigation alleging that Shanghai Moonton Technology’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was developed and marketed using extensive plagiarism and unauthorized use of other people’s work. The narrator stresses that these are conclusions based on documents and comparisons, not definitive legal findings. Moonton and some of the artists discussed did not respond to requests for comment.

Origins and alleged copying

The narrator says Moonton’s founders had previously worked at Tencent and alleges that early versions of Mobile Legends closely copied Tencent’s Honor of Kings. The similarities cited include the map, interface, character-selection screens, gameplay elements, and some characters. The video also points to early promotional material that allegedly retained the Honor of Kings logo.

It further argues that Moonton borrowed from League of Legends and other games and franchises.

Artwork and character designs

The video presents examples it says resemble work from World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Dota, Devil May Cry, Kung Fu Panda, and other properties.

It also discusses work by independent creators, including concept artist Paul Quan. The narrator alleges that Quan’s work was reused in a Mobile Legends character portrait and paid skin without permission or compensation. According to the video, some allegedly copied material remained in the game or on Moonton’s social media for years.

Legal history

The narrator recounts disputes involving Riot Games and Tencent, including Riot’s case over alleged League of Legends plagiarism and several Tencent-related lawsuits. The video says these cases did not result in a court ruling that definitively established whether Mobile Legends was stolen from Honor of Kings.

The narrator argues that Moonton avoided substantive adjudication through jurisdictional arguments and delays, while acknowledging that the video cannot make a definitive legal determination.

Monetization and workplace allegations

Citing online posts attributed to a purported former employee, the video alleges poor working conditions and a company emphasis on gambling-style purchases aimed at young players. It notes that some sought-after cosmetic items were costly and argues that allegedly copied artwork was incorporated into these monetization systems.

The video presents these claims about workplace conditions and company intent as allegations, not independently confirmed facts.

Later copying and Moonton’s lawsuit

The narrator argues that visual similarities between the games continued beyond their early years, including similarities between map updates.

The video also examines Moonton’s lawsuit against the makers of War Song, in which Moonton accused the game of copying Mobile Legends characters. The narrator contends that some of Moonton’s comparisons were weak or ironic given the similarities identified in Moonton’s own work.

A correction in the video clarifies that the War Song case was filed in 2019 and decided in 2022—not filed in 2022.

Conclusion

The video argues that the issue extends beyond imitation between games: unauthorized use of artists’ work can deprive creators of credit and income, and the alleged conduct is especially consequential given the scale of a successful mobile game. The narrator says Mobile Legends may still be enjoyable but calls for greater accountability. The investigation may be revisited if new evidence or responses emerge.

Presenter and contributor

Glad2be1000 is the narrator and investigator. Paul Quan is discussed as an artist whose work was allegedly used. No other video presenter is identified.