Selangor Red Giants OG Esports (SRG) cemented their dynasty in Malaysian esports, claiming their fourth consecutive Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Malaysia title with their Season 16 victory. Both SRG and runner-up, CG Esports, will represent Malaysia at the M7 World Championship, MOONTON Games' flagship international tournament, bringing the nation's competitive ambitions to the global stage.
The victory arrives alongside groundbreaking research that reveals a fundamental shift in Malaysian attitudes towards esports. "The Societal Impact of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) in Malaysia" Bulletin, jointly published by MOONTON Games, the global video game company behind MLBB, and Niko Partners, with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Esports Integrated (ESI), captures how MLBB has shaped the perceptions of career viability and gaming culture within Malaysia's esports community.
Season 16 Champions Lead Malaysia's M7 Charge
SRG clinched the MPL Malaysia Season 16 crown after a clean 4-0 sweep against CG Esports with Muhammad Haqqullah "Sekys" Ahmad Shahrul Zaman, SRG's jungler, earning the Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP) honours. The victory maintains SRG's unbroken dominance of Malaysian MLBB competition and positions both finalists for the M7 World Championship, scheduled for 3-25 January 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Simon Lim, Co-Founder of SRG, said: "This victory means a lot because it is four times in a row. No one has done this in Malaysia. I am very proud of the boys because they keep making history. At first, there was never a back-to-back champion, then we got three-peat and now we got four-peat. MPL Malaysia started in a mall and each season it needs a bigger stadium. This shows the community's growth and the initiative the MPL team has taken to engage with the community."
MPL Malaysia Season 16 drew over 600,000 Peak Concurrent Viewers (PCV), according to Esports Charts, marking a 20% increase from Season 15. The Playoffs also welcomed close to 10,000 fans in attendance across the four days at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), making it one of the largest MPL celebrations in Malaysian history. The Grand Finals also honoured Malaysian MLBB athletes preparing to represent the nation at the International Esports Federation (IESF) World Championship and the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, reinforcing the game's position as a medal sport at major international competitions.
From Play to Profession
The research findings provide a crucial context for what SRG's continued success represents. With Malaysia now home to 18.8 million gamers, more than half of the population, esports has evolved from a niche hobby into a mainstream cultural force. The bulletin reveals that 89.7% of respondents recognise the industry's diverse career opportunities, while 72.1% of Malaysian parents now support professional esports as a viable career path. The parental support figures mark a generational turning point and a powerful narrative: what was once dismissed as a pastime is now increasingly recognised as a legitimate career pathway, evidenced by 83.2% of daily MLBB players reporting career aspirations in gaming.
From left to right: Ahmed Faris Amir, CEO of Esports Integrated (ESI); YB Adam Adli, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports; Siew Hao Zhen, Head of Esports (Malaysia and Emerging Markets) at MOONTON Games; Edward Tien, Analyst at Niko Partners
The bulletin, launched during a press conference on the sidelines of the MPL Malaysia Season 16 Playoffs, presents a collaborative roadmap for Malaysia's esports ecosystem. The panel featured YB Adam Adli, Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS); Ahmed Faris Amir, CEO of Esports Integrated (ESI); Edward Tien, Analyst at Niko Partners; and Siew Hao Zhen, Head of Esports (Malaysia and Emerging Markets) at MOONTON Games.
YB Adam Adli, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said: "The findings released today validate the direction the Ministry of Youth and Sports and ESI has been working towards. The data confirms that esports is now a positive and powerful economic force; it is an industry that creates opportunities, develops talents, and strengthens Malaysia's position in the regional digital landscape. We also hear the message from parents clearly: 52.7% of them want formal education to be a part of the pathway, and we are responding to this with the recent announcement of dedicated esports TVET module that reflects our commitment to building structured future-ready pathways."
Strengthening the Ecosystem
This season of MPL Malaysia saw a notable increase in brand partnerships, which reflects the commercial maturity of both the game and tournament. Malaysian gamers spend an average of 3.59 hours weekly watching esports, according to Niko Partners' Gamer Behaviour Reports, signalling a consistent level of audience engagement that continues to attract diverse brands to the space. This commercial momentum has drawn broadcast interest, with MOONTON Games partnering with Redd+E to air MPL and the upcoming M7 World Championship to audiences across Southeast Asia.
Edward Tien of Niko Partners, shared: "To fully unlock esports’ potential, we need collaboration between the government, educators, and industry leaders, supported by open dialogue across generations. To ensure that this growth remains both sustainable and responsible, it is recommended that gamers and gaming companies in Malaysia align with the national esports development guidelines to promote healthy and balanced participation in gaming. For the government and educators, the next challenge lies in channelling this enthusiasm into lasting industry growth and career opportunities."
The research also presents a unified vision for Malaysia's esports ecosystem, highlighting how players, teams, partners, parents, governing bodies, educators, and communities can work together. This strategic framework not only strengthens Malaysia's regional and global influence but also cultivates the next generation of esports talent.
Siew Hao Zhen of MOONTON Games, said: "The Bulletin's research shows what we have witnessed firsthand: MLBB is more than just a game, it is a household name that inspires the next generation and unites the community. None of this progress happens in isolation; the maturity of the ecosystem is a result of strong collaboration across multiple stakeholders. What is most encouraging from the study is that 7 in 10 parents in Malaysia now support their children pursuing esports professionally. This shift reflects a growing recognition that gaming can unlock real potential, not just for professional players but aspiring coaches, content creators, broadcasters, brands and more."
Siew Hao Zhen added: "Now more than ever, we see the need to build pathways that promote healthy gaming habits in schools and at home, and equip educators with the skills to guide youth in language that resonates with them. By continuing to collaborate with KBS, ESI, schools, and research partners like Niko Partners, we are shaping a blueprint that ensures every Malaysian has the opportunity to turn their passion for gaming into a meaningful and sustainable career."
Watch the recording of the Bulletin launch press conference here: MOONTON Games - Niko Partners Bulletin Launch Press Conference.
Factsheet: "The Societal Impact of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in Malaysia" Bulletin
About the Bulletin:
Co-published by Niko Partners and MOONTON Games, the bulletin, "The Societal Impact of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in Malaysia" explores the growing influence and societal impact of MLBB and MLBB Esports in Malaysia. Supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and Esports Integrated (ESI), the study examines how MLBB and gaming have shaped the perceptions of Malaysian gamers and the wider esports community with respect to career aspirations, gaming habits, and personal well-being.
Background:
Developed and published by MOONTON Games, MLBB provides an example of the rapid growth and success of mobile gaming, being one of the mobile game pioneers to build a complete esports ecosystem from ground up in Malaysia, SEA, and across the globe. Since its global debut in July 2016, MLBB has grown from a household Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) mobile game into one of Malaysia’s leading esports titles and a global cultural phenomenon. Over the years, MLBB has cultivated a dedicated Malaysian esports fan base spanning the MLBB Esports ecosystem—from the grassroots to national, and international levels.
Key Statistics
Personal Growth and Industry Understanding:
83% of survey respondents view MLBB as contributing to their personal happiness.
91% of survey respondents indicate that MLBB and MPL Malaysia has increased their understanding of the games industry.
Career Perception and Aspirations:
89.7% of survey respondents agree that MLBB and esports create diverse career opportunities (e.g., content creation, marketing, event organisers). The finding highlights a demand for structured career pathways that connect gaming interests to professional opportunities.
83.2% of survey respondents who play MLBB daily reported of having career aspirations in gaming.
72.1% of survey respondents indicate that their parents are supportive of their children entering professional esports as a career option.
Respondents aged under 16 and between 16 and 20 show the highest interest in “professional esports player” as their preferred career role.
Key Recommendations Policy and Education:
Strengthening collaboration between government bodies and established esports organizations
Integrating esports literacy and healthy gaming practices into school curriculums
Providing professional development pathways for educators to upskill in game-related fields
Increasing Access and Opportunities:
Expanding grassroots esports initiatives to reach youths nationwide
Extending MLBB events to more regions
Developing formal structures connecting aspiring gamers to professional opportunities
The complete bulletin can be accessed here: https://nikopartners.com/bulletins-white-papers/societal-impact-of-mobile-legends-bang-bang-in-malaysia/.
