Moonton, the makers of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is aiming to expand its market share in the fiercely competitive Indonesian gaming market. Reports have surfaced suggesting that Moonton is currently in talks with the organizers of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League Indonesia tournament to explore the possibility of hosting MPL Indonesia Season 12 at a venue outside of Jakarta this month.
Azwin Nugraha, the PR Manager of Moonton Indonesia, had previously revealed that the company intended to relocate the MPL Indonesia Season 12 competition from Jakarta to one of Java’s prominent cities such as Solo, Yogyakarta, or Surabaya. He emphasized that the overwhelmingly positive response from MPL ID fans outside of Jakarta had served as a driving force for Moonton to seize new opportunities in different locations.
However, an inside source has disclosed that Moonton Indonesia representatives are presently conducting a thorough evaluation of various cities on the island of Sumatra, where the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) fanbase is statistically comparable to that of Java. Moreover, it has been acknowledged that local governments in these cities have demonstrated eagerness and even extended their support in hosting the MPL ID Season 12.
It should be noted that this concept has not yet received full approval, and there is no guarantee that the tournament outside of Jakarta would encompass both the regular season and the playoffs. Additionally, our source has indicated that given the political landscape in Indonesia and Moonton’s existing relationship with the Indonesian Esports Board (PBESI), there may be opposition from certain groups towards this idea.
If the plan does receive the green light, it would mark the third instance of the MPL ID being held outside of Jakarta. The inaugural season of the MPL ID took place in Surabaya, East Java, and garnered immense enthusiasm from the MLBB Surabaya community, producing international winners like Yurino “Donkey” Angkawidjaja. In 2021, MPL ID Season 8 was conducted behind closed doors in Nusa Dua, Bali, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moonton’s potential decision to venture beyond Jakarta for MPL ID Season 12 demonstrates their commitment to engaging with their fanbase across different regions of Indonesia and further solidifying their presence in the country’s burgeoning esports scene. As the discussions progress and decisions are made, the Indonesian gaming community eagerly awaits the final verdict on the tournament’s venue and format.
