Team RRQ CEO Andrian “AP” Pauline recently expressed his displeasure regarding Moonton’s policy, which he deemed detrimental to the growth of his esports team. He revealed that team RRQ would not receive exclusive in-game item rights due to a conflict of interest between Moonton and his Pokemon Unite division, which is considered a competitor to Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
Yesterday, on his Instagram account, AP stated that Moonton is planning to release some exclusive in-game items in the form of notification effects designed specifically for teams participating in MLBB Pro League Indonesia Season 12. However, he apologized to RRQ supporters as it’s unlikely his team will receive them this season.
AP then explained that the MPL ID-themed in-game items are exclusively granted to esports teams that do not partake in a MOBA esports other than MLBB. According to reports, Moonton personally asked him to disband RRQ’s Pokemon Unite team, RRQ Rise, which is seen as a promotion for their competitor in the mobile MOBA market.
“We were supposed to release a teaser for the notification sticker because it will be available on the advanced server tomorrow. Unfortunately, we couldn’t obtain it because the deal won’t allow us to compete in other MOBA esports, in this case, our Pokemon team,” he said.
He stated that the management has reached out to Moonton and explained that the two games, despite being marketed as MOBA, have completely distinct gameplay and target audiences. In the end, he felt that the final decision was unappealing, and he chose to keep his RRQ Rise squad since he did not want to miss the Pokemon World Championship 2023, scheduled to be held next week in Yokohama, Japan.
“Imagine yourself being the CEO of an esports team, fighting against the Evos team and all the other big teams in the Pacific, then advancing to the World Championships in Yokohama next week. Do you think I should let it go?” said AP. “Actually, we could generate some revenue from these in-game items, but I’m not that kind of guy.”
This lawsuit has reignited the SEA esports community’s allegations that Moonton has engaged in a monopoly to dominate the mobile gaming community. Two years ago, they accused the Chinese publisher of enforcing a rule that barred MPL esports teams from forming League of Legends: Wild Rift divisions. Moonton later clarified that while some commercial deals did happen between them and some teams, they never forbade them from competing in other mobile MOBA titles.
Moonton has not yet responded to the steps taken by AP on his social media. AP, on the other hand, stated that his team would fight back if Moonton subsequently makes a decision that could potentially revoke his team’s privileges in the franchise league.
