Honor of Kings: World Approved in First Batch by Regulator

Honor of Kings: World, the eagerly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off from Tencent's smash-hit MOBA, has officially received the green light from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the first batch of games sanctioned for release in 2025, highlighting the significant step toward its launch. While an exact release date remains under wraps, this approval signals that the game is on track for a relatively soon debut.

As its name suggests, Honor of Kings: World expands the universe of the original game, allowing players to delve into an expansive open world. The game was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, where its stunning graphics and immersive open-world gameplay were on full display.

For those familiar with the MOBA scene, Honor of Kings needs no introduction. It has risen to become one of the world's largest MOBAs, outshining even Riot Games' League of Legends, despite initial restrictions to China and other Asian countries. Now, with Honor of Kings: World, Tencent aims to draw in even the MOBA skeptics with this exciting new venture.

A World Away

While this approval might seem like just another piece of news, it's important to consider the context. A few years ago, China imposed a gaming licensing 'freeze' that significantly impacted its vast development and publishing industry. The subsequent thaw led to a surge of game releases, making these approvals a crucial indicator of what's to come.

Globally, these approvals are closely watched, as they provide a glimpse into the timing of new releases. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's wave of approvals exceeds the peak monthly figures from last year, suggesting a robust pipeline of games heading our way.

With the influx of games expected in 2025 from China, there's a possibility that some titles might be overshadowed by others. As we keep an eye on these developments, the gaming community eagerly awaits to see how Honor of Kings: World and other new releases will fare in the coming year.