Honor of Kings: World, the eagerly awaited open-world RPG spin-off from Tencent's blockbuster MOBA Honor of Kings, has officially received the green light from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the first batch of new game releases greenlit for 2025, a significant milestone given that all games in China must pass through this regulatory process before hitting the market.
True to its name, Honor of Kings: World promises to expand the beloved universe of Honor of Kings, offering players the chance to immerse themselves in an expansive open world. The game was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning graphics and engaging open-world gameplay.
For those familiar with the gaming scene, Honor of Kings needs no introduction. As one of the world's largest MOBAs, it has surpassed even Riot Games' League of Legends in popularity, despite being initially restricted to China and other Asian countries. Honor of Kings: World could serve as the perfect entry point for MOBA skeptics, offering a fresh take on the beloved universe.
While this approval might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, it's a crucial development in the context of China's gaming industry. A few years ago, a licensing freeze had significantly slowed down the development and publishing sectors in China. The subsequent thaw led to a surge in game releases, and the world has been closely watching these approvals as indicators of when new titles might become available. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's approval numbers have even exceeded the highest monthly totals from last year.
With this latest wave of approvals, the question arises: Will 2025 see an overwhelming influx of games from China? And could some titles be overshadowed by others in this competitive landscape? Only time will tell, so stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
