Honor of Kings: World, the highly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off of Tencent's popular MOBA, Honor of Kings, has received approval from Chinese regulators. This approval, part of the first batch of 2025 game releases, signals an imminent launch. While a precise release date remains unannounced, the approval suggests a relatively swift market entry.
True to its name, Honor of Kings: World expands the Honor of Kings universe into a fully explorable open world. Its impressive graphics and open-world gameplay were prominently featured during the iPhone 16 showcase.
For those unfamiliar, Honor of Kings is a globally renowned MOBA, surpassing even League of Legends in certain markets. Initially limited to China and Asia, its popularity has exploded. Honor of Kings: World offers a compelling entry point for MOBA skeptics, promising a captivating open-world experience.
A Significant Milestone
This approval holds significant weight, considering China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly impacted the Chinese game development and publishing landscape before a recent surge in approvals. The recent wave of approvals, exceeding even last year's highest monthly figures (according to the South China Morning Post), is noteworthy.
This influx of approvals raises anticipation for a substantial number of Chinese game releases in 2025. However, it also raises the question of potential market saturation and competition. Only time will tell which titles will emerge as frontrunners. We eagerly await further developments.
