The MOBA genre is facing a challenging period. Giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are struggling to maintain their dominance. Dota 2 is increasingly becoming a niche title, primarily popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends, despite its massive player base, seems to be losing momentum, feeling somewhat stagnant.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is intriguing. Once a formidable competitor in the early 2010s, HoN is being rebuilt on a new engine, and initial trailers are encouraging.
However, several concerns cloud this seemingly positive development. Firstly, this is a re-release of a decade-old live-service game. The MOBA genre's popularity has waned, with many gamers shifting their focus to other genres and platforms.
Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports initiatives is questionable. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure. This raises concerns about their long-term commitment.
Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded service, is a significant hurdle. The notable absence of a Steam release is particularly concerning. Securing a large player base today is difficult without Valve's platform.
Image: igames.com
These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's potential for widespread success, suggesting it might remain a niche title. While the one-year release timeline is a positive sign, significant challenges lie ahead.
