Ever wondered how Mobile Legends went from being called a “League of Legends ripoff” to dominating the mobile gaming scene in 2025? This is the wild story of how Mobile Legends overcame lawsuits, community backlash, and fierce competition to become a true legend in mobile esports. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just MLBB-curious, this deep dive will give you all the highlights!
Table of contents
Chapter 1: Humble Beginnings
Mobile Legends wasn’t always a global hit. When Moonton launched the game in 2016, the goal was simple: bring the competitive, team-based action of PC MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 to mobile phones. Back then, the mobile gaming landscape was dominated by casual titles like Candy Crush and Clash of Clans. But gamers in Southeast Asia craved something deeper—and Mobile Legends delivered. The controls were easy to pick up, the action was fast, and the community started growing fast.
Chapter 2: Lawsuit and Controversy
But success didn’t come easy. As Mobile Legends’ player base exploded, it wasn’t long before gamers started pointing out the game’s very familiar look and feel. The map, the heroes, and the gameplay? It all screamed “League of Legends, but on mobile.” In 2017, Riot Games sued Moonton for copyright infringement, and the studio was forced to pay $2.9 million. Critics called MLBB a cheap knockoff, and the player base started to dwindle. For a minute, it looked like Mobile Legends was finished.
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Chapter 3: The Esports Comeback
But instead of giving up, Moonton doubled down. They wanted to prove that Mobile Legends was more than just a copycat—it was a legit competitive experience. Enter the Mobile Legends Professional League (MPL) in 2018. At first, few took it seriously, but Moonton kept improving the game, building the esports scene, and attracting real talent. The game’s big break came in 2019 with the first M1 World Championship, pulling in millions of viewers and putting Mobile Legends on the global esports map.
Chapter 4: The Rise of Content Creators
While Moonton built the infrastructure, influencers like Jess No Limit brought Mobile Legends to life. These creators produced everything from highlight reels and tutorials to hilarious memes and epic plays, making MLBB super accessible—and a blast to watch. Jess No Limit became the unofficial ambassador, and soon a whole wave of streamers, analysts, and meme lords followed. Mobile Legends became more than a game—it became a full-blown community.
Chapter 5: Originality, Collabs, and the New Era
After earning its place in the esports world, Mobile Legends continued to evolve. Moonton improved the graphics, redesigned heroes, and started dropping original cinematics. The real flex? Massive collaborations with pop culture giants like Jujutsu Kaisen, King of Fighters, and Naruto. No more “copycat” vibes—MLBB was now leading the way, not following.
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From Ripoff to King: The 2025 MLBB Takeover
Now, in 2025, Mobile Legends stands tall as a true king of mobile gaming. The once-mocked “ripoff” now boasts millions of players, a thriving esports scene, and collabs with the biggest names in entertainment. Moonton didn’t just survive—they thrived, turning controversy into a movement. Is MLBB perfect? Nope. But it proves that with passion and persistence, any game can become a legend.
TL;DR
Mobile Legends started as an underdog, got sued for copying League of Legends, and nearly died. But with smart moves in esports, community building, and epic collaborations, it bounced back to become one of the most popular and respected mobile games in the world by 2025.
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Conclusion
The rise of Mobile Legends is a story of resilience, adaptation, and the power of community. From being called a clone to setting the trends for the entire mobile gaming industry, MLBB shows what’s possible when devs listen, creators hustle, and fans stay loyal. The king has truly claimed the crown.
Ready to join the action? Download Mobile Legends today, jump into the fray, and see why it’s the king of mobile MOBAs!
Want more Mobile Legends content or exclusive in-game deals? Stay tuned to our blog for the latest MLBB news, guides, and offers!
FAQs
Yes, in 2017, Riot Games sued Moonton and won $2.9 million in damages for copyright infringement.
Moonton focused on originality, esports, and community engagement—transforming MLBB from “ripoff” to “leader.”
It’s the mix of easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, a massive esports scene, non-stop updates, and awesome pop culture collabs.
He’s a legendary content creator who helped grow the MLBB community through epic gameplay, tutorials, and relatable content.
With its momentum, expect even bigger updates, more collabs, and a growing global community.
