Magic Chess: Go Go (MCGG), developed by the international video game company MOONTON Games, successfully concluded its historic debut at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, cementing its place as the first-ever mobile Auto Chess title featured at the region's premier multi-sport event. The inaugural demonstration match, held today in Bangkok, saw Malaysia's Muhamad Arif Bin Baharun and Fazley Chong emerge victorious in a compelling #BattleofWits finale that showcased the strategic depth of competitive Auto Chess and marked a milestone achievement for mobile esports at the Games. 

The Malaysian team outplayed formidable competitors from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines in MCGG's signature single-player, strategy-driven format. The Philippine duo finished in second place, with Indonesia taking third to round out the final standings.

Muhamad Arif Bin Baharun of Team Malaysia shared: "I was excited to be part of the MCGG at the 33rd SEA Games, as it is the dream of every MCGG player. We have been playing this game and training hard to be part of it. This shows that everyone has a chance, and I hope that our participation motivates everyone who watched us." 

"This is not just a tournament; this is where the journey starts. With this victory, we hope that it helps enhance the growth of the community further, and hopefully, there will be more MCGG tournaments for Malaysia," added Fazley Chong of Team Malaysia.

A breakthrough moment for strategy esports 

MCGG's inclusion in the 33rd SEA Games, alongside traditional sports and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), signals a new era for mobile-first esports on the regional sporting stage. As the first mobile Auto Chess game to appear at the Games, MCGG showcased how accessible, intellectually driven esports can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional sporting disciplines. 

With low hardware requirements and an intuitive learning curve, MCGG offered a level playing field, enabling athletes from varying backgrounds to compete equally, championing the SEA Games' ideals of unity, fairness, and inclusivity. 

MCGG's SEA Games showcase highlights the title's rapid ascent since its global launch earlier this year. Within two weeks of launch, MCGG surpassed 30 million downloads and went on to win the 2025 Google Play "Best Game Award" across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, strengthening its position as one of the most influential game releases of the year. 

Today, its competitive ecosystem spans international, regional, national, and grassroots levels. The recently announced GO1 World Championship, MCGG's first highly anticipated global tournament, will stage its Grand Finals on 25 January at the M7 Carnival in Jakarta, marking the next chapter in MCGG's journey from regional recognition to the global championship stage. 

MLBB powerhouses collide as the road to gold begins 

The MLBB Group Stage draw for the SEA Games has produced thrilling matchups across both men's and women's categories, with traditional powerhouses facing off from day one.

MLBB Men’s Category: Group Stage Schedules

Fans will be particularly excited for the Group B matchups in the men's category, featuring the Philippines—undefeated champions since MLBB's SEA Games debut in 2019— alongside perennial medal contenders, Indonesia and Malaysia. Matches are scheduled for 10:30 GMT+7 and 19:00 GMT+7 respectively, setting up potential early clashes between the region's strongest teams. 

The women's schedule, which will be announced via the official social channels, places defending champions Indonesia in Group B, where they will face Malaysia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste as they look to retain their title. Host nation Thailand has been drawn into Group A for both the men’s and women’s categories, where strong home support could be a decisive factor in their pursuit of a maiden podium finish. 

MLBB returns to the SEA Games for the fourth time as an official medal event, reaffirming its legacy as a mainstay in regional esports. Last year's tournament in Cambodia shattered viewership records in both men's and women's categories, proving that competitive gaming now stands on par with traditional sports. This year's edition is the biggest yet, with nearly every Southeast Asian nation fielding teams in both categories. With the groups now set, the path to glory runs through some of the fiercest rivalries in Southeast Asian esports. 

Hi-res visuals are available via the Official Media Library. Fans can catch all MLBB matches at the 33rd SEA Games via the following official channels: