Tencent's Honor of Kings spin-off approved by regulator

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 issued for 2025, signals an imminent release. While a specific date remains unconfirmed, the approval suggests a launch is relatively near.

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. Previously limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity now extends worldwide. Honor of Kings: World might entice even MOBA skeptics to explore its captivating universe.

A Significant Milestone

This regulatory approval holds significant weight, considering China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly hampered the nation's game development and publishing sector before a recent surge of approvals.

Global observers are closely monitoring these approvals, anticipating insights into release timelines. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's approvals exceed the highest monthly total from the previous year.

The prospect of a substantial influx of Chinese games in 2025 raises questions about potential market saturation and competition. Only time will tell which titles emerge as frontrunners. We'll continue to monitor developments.