MANILA, Philippines–Magic Chess Go Go (MCGG) is an exciting new game from MOONTON Games that expands the popular Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) universe, catering to a different type of player across the globe. Combining elements of auto chess with the rich lore of MLBB, MCGG offers players a fresh yet familiar experience, especially to players who aren’t that inclined to MOBA games yet still wish to experience the world of MLBB.
In an exclusive interview with MCGG producer, Gao Chong, The Gaming Districts delve into the creative process behind this highly anticipated game.
One of the main challenges faced by the development team was adapting the art style of MLBB into MCGG.
“As a new game, MCGG needs an art style that is different from MLBB to be refreshing. At the same time, because MCGG is an extension of the MLBB universe, the game also needs to inherit MLBB’s iconic elements, such as the design of our beloved Heroes, the user interface, and even the Chessboard.” explained Chong to The Gaming Districts in an online interview.
Striking a balance between these elements was crucial. The team designed many versions and engaged in numerous discussions with the community, which proved invaluable in creating the final art style seen in the teasers of the game.
But art style isn’t the only thing that sets MCGG apart from its older game sibling. The process of world-building for MCGG differs significantly as well.
In the lore, MCGG exists as a widely popular game in the Land of Dawn, created by a “mysterious game designer.” The game’s Commanders, Synergies, and Go Go Cards are based on legends and stories from the continent.
Chong adds, “In future, MCGG players will be able to play the game within MLBB, just as you would if you were in the Land of Dawn. This all helps with immersion and their overall enjoyment.”
Ensuring that the gameplay mechanics of MLBB were effectively translated into MCGG while maintaining a fresh and engaging experience was one of the things Chong and his team prioritized as they developed the game.
“We knew from the beginning that we did not want to just ‘copy and paste’ the original design and game mechanics over from MLBB. Instead, we want to expand upon the lore of MLBB by building out the Land of Dawn and its inhabitants.” said Chong, with the approach hopefully giving players a chance to experience MLBB in a different light.
Yet some things had to be connected to MLBB.
“Heroes are the most important content asset of MLBB and also the most popular piece of content among players, so we need to get this exactly right. You’ll find that the Heroes in MCGG expand upon who they are in MLBB while retaining the iconic personalities and traits in line with the impressions players have of them,” noted Chong.
MCGG also introduces new features and content not present in MLBB, aimed at enhancing the player experience, especially as MCGG is geared towards solo gameplay and strategy players. The content of each season will also change significantly, with a rotation of gameplay modes to keep things fresh. The dev team is also exploring more possibilities within the auto chess genre, including a multiplayer team mode.
“We have some dedicated plans around this, such as esports tournaments for individuals, which is a stark contrast to the team-based MLBB.” said Chong.
Magic Chess: Go Go is open for pre-registration in both the App Store and Google Play Store with a release set for early 2025 while the game is already available in Malaysia and Singapore, experiencing a soft-launch since early December.
