Honor of Kings Spin-Off Receives Regulatory Approval

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 game licenses for 2025, signals an imminent release. While a precise date remains unannounced, the green light suggests a relatively swift launch.

As the name implies, 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 some regions. Previously limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity now extends globally. Honor of Kings: World offers a compelling entry point for MOBA skeptics.

A Significant Development

This approval holds significant weight, considering China's previous gaming license freeze. This period significantly hampered the nation's game development and publishing sector before a recent surge of approvals. The current wave of approvals, exceeding even last year's highest monthly total (according to the South China Morning Post), is noteworthy.

The influx of game approvals suggests a potential flood of Chinese game releases in 2025. However, the competitive landscape may lead to some titles being overshadowed. Only time will tell which games emerge as frontrunners. We'll continue to monitor the situation for updates.