From Mobile Legends: Bang Bang to Magic Chess: Go Go: Moonton’s next mobile strategy move

For years, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has dominated mobile gaming with its intense 5v5 battles and thriving esports scene. But even the most action-packed games have their quieter moments, and that’s where Magic Chess – its auto-battler mode – carved out a loyal fan base. Now, Moonton is taking things to the next level with Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG), a standalone game that combines accessible strategy with a competitive edge. This isn’t just a simple spin-off for die-hard MLBB fans though; MCGG also demands focus on individual skills, has a layered gameplay mechanics, and even its own esports aspirations.

We spoke with Gao Chong, producer of MCGG at Moontoon, to uncover what sets this new title apart. From adapting MLBB’s vibrant art style to rethinking gameplay for solo players, he shared how Moontoon has reimagined the auto-battler experience. He also teased what’s to come for MCGG, including its esports potential, upcoming features, and how they’re building a game that’s easy to pick up but challenging to master.

MCGG has been described as more than just an extension of MLBB. What unique value does it bring to players, and how do you see it shaping the future of strategy games and esports?

MCGG is more than an extension of MLBB in that it offers a fresh twist on the auto-chess genre. Unlike other titles, we have developed the game to be easy to pick up, but hard to master. MCGG is easy for anyone to play which makes it suitable for casual players. At the same time, it offers room for strategy and skill to keep competitive players hooked.

MCGG was designed with esports in mind and unlike MLBB, the single-player format of MCGG makes its esports scene more accessible due to lower barriers to entry. MCGG focuses on individual skills and strategies, removing challenges such as finding teammates, coordinating training schedules, and maintaining team synergy. This opens doors to more aspiring players who want to join the competitive gaming scene. With MCGG esports set to launch in 2025, we're excited to create a platform where strategy enthusiasts can shine. We currently have plans to build MCGG's esports ecosystem post-launch in 2025, stay tuned!

That’s interesting. Can you share more details about Moontoon’s esports plans with MCGG? Are there plans to develop an organised esports scene like MLBB?

MCGG has the potential to be a standalone esports title – in fact, this is a key priority for us. MCGG's competitive nature comes from its focus on strategy and decision-making where players must outthink their opponents. This makes it an exciting and skill-driven game that is perfect for competitive play.

What's exciting is that most top players from auto-chess competitions don't come from major esports organisations. This means champions are often hidden in plain sight – the future MCGG champion could be anyone around you! The single-player format allows individual skill to shine, giving everyone an equal chance to rise to the top based on their abilities.

A sneak peek of MCGG esports action will be showcased through exhibition matches at the ongoing M6 World Championship!

What insights did you gather about player preferences from the Magic Chess mode in MLBB, and how have they influenced the standalone MCGG? Do you expect a significant overlap in player demographics between the two games?

Magic Chess was introduced in 2020 as part of MLBB and it quickly gained a dedicated following, with many players playing it as their main game mode. We also found out that a significant number of players downloaded MLBB just to play Magic Chess. This means that we have a player base that prefers strategic, standalone gameplay that MLBB's arcade mode does not offer. These insights shaped the development of MCGG as a standalone app for those who enjoy strategy and individual competition. By separating MCGG from MLBB, we are able to provide a more tailored experience for this passionate player base.

We expect some overlap in player demographics between both games, especially among fans of MLBB's IP and long-time Magic Chess players. However, MCGG will primarily appeal to a different audience. MCGG's solo gameplay will attract strategy and auto-chess fans who prefer an individual experience. It will also attract new players who have not engaged with MLBB before. While there will be some crossover, the game is designed to cater to a more diverse player base.

For players transitioning from the Arcade mode in MLBB, what are the key differences they can expect in MCGG, in terms of gameplay, progression, and community features?

Players moving from MLBB's Arcade mode to MCGG will see that the game places a strong focus on the auto-chess gameplay experience. This focus enables the MCGG team to explore new possibilities and create innovative mechanics within the auto-chess genre. An exciting example is the development of new mechanics such as "Blessing," "Magic Crystal," and "GoGo Chest". Additionally, the team is working on a multiplayer mode with unique rule variations to enhance the gameplay experience.

Progression and community features will be upgraded, offering group voice chat and improved social interaction tools for Commanders.

As a standalone app, MCGG doesn't require players to download MLBB which makes it more accessible for non-MLBB players. With many exciting ideas in development, our team looks forward to introducing new features to players after our official launch!

The game borrows heavily from the MLBB universe. How did you approach adapting the art style and world-building to make MCGG a standalone experience while staying true to the MLBB identity?

To make MCGG a standalone experience while staying true to MLBB, we focused on switching up the art style. We kept iconic elements like the Heroes, the user interface, and the Chessboard, but redesigned them to match MCGG's gameplay. For example, while MLBB has 10 Heroes in a 5v5 match, MCGG can have up to 20 Heroes on the board at once. To accommodate this, we adjusted the Hero visuals and mechanics to fit the auto-chess format but stayed true to MLBB's essence through familiar elements.

For world-building, we made sure the atmosphere and visuals were similar to MLBB but added a fresh twist. Our beloved Heroes were given expanded traits to fit the new gameplay, but still kept the qualities that players love. This approach helped us create something new while maintaining the connection to MLBB.

The seamless migration of progress from MLBB to MCGG has been highlighted as a key feature. How important was this feature for player retention, and what challenges did you face in implementing it?

Migrating player progress between both apps is essential for user retention and was a key focus during the early-stage development. Magic Chess has been a part of MLBB for four years, and we know that the content and assets players have obtained are more than just data – they carry emotional value and represent years of memories and effort.

The progress migration process has been challenging, as the team has had to work hard to transfer a large amount of historical player data and game resources (such as skins and chessboards) within a short period of time. Despite these challenges, we are prioritising this feature to ensure a smooth transition that allows players to continue their progress from MLBB's Magic Chess mode. The MCGG team is dedicated to completing this process and allowing our players to seamlessly continue their gameplay progress!

Looking ahead, what kind of updates or expansions can players expect? How do you plan to engage the community in shaping the future of MCGG?

A key focus for the team will be transforming popular MLBB Heroes into MCGG commanders, including the development of new skins! We'll also continue updating the Synergies and adding rare MLBB skins as new Synergies in the game.

Regarding the community, we'll engage them by partnering up with popular anime IPs and introducing an exclusive official event system. These collaborations and events are designed to keep the game fresh and exciting. We're excited to involve the community in shaping the future of MCGG and will actively listen to feedback to make sure MCGG is an enjoyable experience.

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