The MOBA landscape is currently facing challenges. Established giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are experiencing difficulties; Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends appears to be struggling to maintain its momentum.
Against this backdrop, Garena has announced the surprising return of Heroes of Newerth, a once-significant MOBA competitor from the early 2010s. Developed using a new engine, the game's trailer suggests a promising revitalization.
However, several concerns remain. Firstly, this is a relaunch of a decade-old live-service title in a genre that has seen a decline in popularity. Many players have migrated to newer games and platforms.
Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports raises questions. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure.
Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded platform, is noteworthy. The absence of a Steam release is a significant drawback, hindering its potential reach to a broader audience.
Image: igames.com
These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's prospects for widespread success, suggesting it might remain a niche title. Despite this, the one-year release timeframe offers a glimmer of hope.
