MLBB-lookalike, Moba Legends: 5v5, released in India

It looks like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), one of the most popular MOBA titles on Android and iOS globally, could be making a return to India with a rebranded version. Called Moba Legends: 5v5, the game has been published by Vizta Games, and features the entire MOBA experience of the main game.

The game was released on April 24, 2024, and is currently only available for download on the Google Play Store. It makes no mention of MLBB or MOONTON in its listing. However, downloading the game shows the MLBB logo and name in the game.

MOONTON said it had no comments on the game in response to a media inquiry by Esports.net.

Image Credits: Google Play Store

MLBB India: Moba Legends 5v5 is now available to download

Screenshots of the game posted on the Google Play Store show the normal MLBB experience. One thing standing out, however, is that some of the texts are in Hindi, a widely spoken language in India. Esports.net has downloaded and played the game, which is exactly similar to MLBB.

Thus, this has led to speculation about Moba Legends: 5v5 being a localized version for the Indian market, published by Vizta Games. This comes after the original MLBB was banned back in 2020 by India’s ministry of electronics for alleged data privacy concerns.

If this happens to be the case, this won’t be the first time that a banned title would be making a return to the country under a different publisher. After the ban on PUBG Mobile, Krafton re-published the game as a localized version called Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).

Similar things happened with Arena of Valor (re-released as Clash of Titans and now rebranded to Honor of Kings India) and also the impending release of Free Fire India.

Image Credits: Google Play Store

It’s not surprising to see big developers localizing a game for India, which has one of the most sizable gaming communities globally. Currently, however, little is known about Mobe Legends 5v5, its servers, the publisher Vizta Games, or if its an official rebrand of MLBB for India. This article will be updated when more information comes to light.