MOONTON Games, the international video game company, has unveiled the first Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG) annual tournament—the GO1 World Championship (GO1). Marking the game's first offline global championship, this milestone celebrates MCGG's growth as a global esports title. With the Grand Finals taking place on 25 January at the M7 Carnival, the tournament gives aspiring esports athletes a chance to stand on the world stage. The first GO1 titleholder will share the spotlight with the next Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) world champions at the M7 World Championship (M7)—one of the largest stages in mobile esports. 

The tournament will feature 24 participants, representing regions across Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Middle East and North America (MENA), Latin America (LATAM), the Philippines. Through MCGG Rising Stars (MRS) Season 4—the in-game competition feature— players can compete to earn their spot on the world stage. MRS Season 3 crowned Sergio "SkAnDominc" Pablo Rojas Mamani from LATAM as its champion on 16 November, demonstrating how MCGG's accessible and democratic gameplay gives everyday players the opportunity to rise as champions. More information on the GO1 slot allocation can be found in the Appendix. 

Sergio said: "It's hard to believe that I'm the champion—but here I am! I never expected a game I play everyday would take me this far. I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent my region and to go up against the best players in the world. I'm looking forward to competing again at the GO1 World Championship and being surrounded by people who love the game and esports as much as I do." 

The Grand Finals will unfold at the M7 Carnival, transforming Jakarta into a global esports stage. Fans and players will be immersed in a weekend full of "MCGG Land" festivities. The esports and gaming fanfare will feature live MCGG and MLBB watch parties, interactive experiences, food, music and entertainment. The event will culminate in the crowning of the first GO1 champion, celebrating the world's best Auto Chess talent alongside the region's most celebrated mobile esports athletes. Further details about the tournament will be announced at a later date. 

Gao "Skyhook" Chong, MCGG Producer at MOONTON Games, said: "Launching the GO1 World Championship is a proud moment for everyone on the team. It's amazing to see how our growing esports ecosystem is putting players on the global stage and revealing hidden champions from everywhere across the world. This tournament embodies our vision of accessible and democratic esports, where everyone has a chance to rise to the top. At its core, MCGG is more than just a game. It's evolved into a platform that empowers players, builds communities, and drives the growth of esports worldwide." 

MCGG has quickly established itself as one of 2025's top gaming titles. The title surpassed 30 million downloads within just two weeks of its Global Launch on 28 May and received the 2025 Google Play Best Game Award in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Since its inception, MCGG Esports has evolved into a multi-tiered ecosystem encompassing international, regional, national and community tournaments. MCGG held its first competitive esports event—the MCGG Indonesia Community Tournament (MCCT ID)—on 16 March. MCCT ID III, its latest edition, surpassed 1 million views across MCGG channels, reflecting its strong community support.

MCGG makes historic SEA Games debut

MCGG will make its debut at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as a demonstration sport—a milestone achievement for its growing esports ecosystem. Launched globally this year, MCGG will make history as the first mobile Auto Chess game to be featured at the SEA Games, underscoring its expanding global influence. Opening this year's Games on 12 December 2025, MCGG joins MLBB in celebrating the role of esports in uniting national athletes through the pursuit of national glory. Both titles have evolved beyond esports, serving as platforms that bridge countries, communities, and players across the world.

The MCGG demonstration match will feature athletes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Together, the eight representatives will go head-to-head in a #BattleofWits to claim top honours for their nation. 

The strategy-based title introduces a dynamic competitive dimension to the Games, putting athletes' tactical thinking, adaptability, and foresight to the test. By bringing together athletes from across the region on a shared stage, MCGG embodies the SEA Games' spirit of regional unity, fair play, and sportsmanship. The game's single-player format and accessibility democratises competition, giving participants of all backgrounds the opportunity to compete and emerge as champions. The title's SEA Games debut marks a new chapter in making esports accessible to all, laying the foundation for aspiring players to pursue their esports aspirations. 

Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystems at MOONTON Games, added: "We're incredibly proud that MCGG has earned its place on a prestigious stage like the SEA Games. It's amazing that our players will share the spotlight alongside some of the most competitive sporting athletes in the region. For us, MCGG has always been more than just a game. It's about using the game to build a connected ecosystem that gives aspiring champions a chance to shine. This is only the beginning, and I'm excited for what's ahead as we continue working with regional and national partners to grow MCGG into a global esports platform." 

Santi Lothong, President of Thailand Esports Federation, said: "Having MCGG featured at the SEA Games shows how innovation and accessibility can reshape the future of sports. What we love about its format is how its low barriers to entry gives new athletes a chance to represent their countries while uncovering emerging talents from our region. We're proud that the 33rd SEA Games will lead this movement by bringing in MCGG alongside traditional sports. The SEA Games is excited to support its development and inspire the next generation to see gaming as a pathway for competition and national pride." 

Stream MCGG at the 33rd SEA Games here.

Checkmate meets combat in THE KING OF FIGHTERS crossover

The fight for glory begins anew as MCGG Season 4 launches on 19 November! Leading the charge is THE KING OF FIGHTERS (KOF) collaboration—an iconic crossover between strategy and skill. This season invites players to rise as a #FighterReborn, merging the calculated precision of chess with the thrill of head-to-head combat. Featuring fighter-inspired skins, powerful synergies, and new chessboard designs, the collaboration will reimagine classic arcade battles on the chessboard. 

Chong added: "Working with THE KING OF FIGHTERS is a huge moment for us. The franchise has inspired generations of gamers and bringing that legacy into MCGG allows us to celebrate strategy and combat gameplay in an entirely new way. This collaboration shows how far MCGG has come as an IP. We're not just growing within the strategy and Auto Chess genre but also connecting with new gamers who share the same passion for competitive play." 

Chessmasters can test their might in the new retro arcade-style mini game, Destined Duel, where each victory earns draw tokens to unlock limited-time rewards. Season 4 will also introduce new game modes and the return of MRS Season 4, which serves as a qualifier to the GO1 World Championship. Further details on MCGG Season 4 will be unveiled soon. 

Find out more about MCGG on the official website. Stay up to date by following MCGG's social media channels, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X.