Heroes of Newerth made a comeback, but it's too early to celebrate

The MOBA genre is currently facing significant challenges. Two of its flagship titles, Dota 2 and League of Legends, are showing signs of strain. Dota 2, developed by Valve, is increasingly becoming a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Riot Games' League of Legends seems to be struggling to rejuvenate a game that many feel has entered its later stages.

In the midst of this, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a game that once rivaled these giants in the early 2010s but was later discontinued. The new version is being built on a fresh engine, and the trailer has generated some excitement. While this news might be cause for celebration, there are several concerns to consider.

First, Heroes of Newerth is a re-release of a live-service game that's over a decade old. The MOBA genre has seen a decline in popularity, with many players shifting to newer platforms and gaming trends. This makes it challenging for an older title to regain its former glory.

Second, Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports has often been questioned. The company asserts that it always believed in Heroes of Newerth's potential, yet the decision to shut down the game in the first place raises doubts about their commitment.

Third, the game is set to launch on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This choice raises questions about the absence of Steam, a platform crucial for reaching a broad audience in today's gaming market.

Image: igames.com

All these factors suggest that Heroes of Newerth may remain a niche project with potential for organic growth, but there are substantial uncertainties. On a positive note, the game is slated for release within the next year, providing a clear timeline for its anticipated return.