Honor of Kings spin-off gets green light from 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 2025 game releases, signals an imminent launch, although a specific date remains unannounced.

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 regions. While previously limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity suggests Honor of Kings: World could attract a broader audience, even those typically hesitant towards MOBAs.

A Significant Milestone

The approval is particularly noteworthy given China's previous gaming licensing freeze, which significantly impacted the nation's game development and publishing sector. The recent thawing of restrictions, with a surge in approvals exceeding previous monthly records (as reported by the South China Morning Post), indicates a potential influx of Chinese games in 2025.

The sheer volume of approvals raises questions about the competitive landscape. Will some games be overshadowed by others? Only time will tell. We'll continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they become available.