Exciting news for fans of Tencent's blockbuster MOBA, Honor of Kings! The eagerly awaited spin-off, Honor of Kings: World, has officially received the green light from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the first batch of games cleared for release in 2025, signaling that its launch is on the horizon. While a specific release date is yet to be announced, this milestone suggests that players won't have to wait much longer to dive into this new adventure.
Honor of Kings: World promises to expand the beloved universe into an open-world RPG format. Showcased prominently during the upcoming iPhone 16 reveal, the game's stunning graphics and expansive gameplay were on full display, hinting at an immersive experience that goes beyond the traditional MOBA format. For those unfamiliar, Honor of Kings has long been a dominant force in the MOBA genre, surpassing even Riot Games' League of Legends in popularity, despite its initial restriction to China and other Asian markets.
This approval marks a significant development, especially considering the recent history of gaming regulations in China. A licensing 'freeze' had previously halted the industry's growth, but with the thaw and subsequent surge in approvals, the future looks bright for Chinese game developers. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's approvals have exceeded the highest monthly totals from last year, suggesting a potential flood of new titles in 2025.
As we anticipate the release of Honor of Kings: World, the question remains: will this wave of new games from China lead to an oversaturation of the market, or will each title find its unique place? Only time will tell, but for now, fans of Honor of Kings have much to look forward to.
