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 for 2025, signals an imminent release. While a specific date remains unannounced, the approval suggests a relatively swift launch.
As its name implies, 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. Previously limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity now extends globally. Honor of Kings: World may entice even MOBA skeptics with its appealing open-world format.
A significant development
The approval is particularly noteworthy considering China's previous gaming license freeze. This period significantly hampered the country's game development and publishing sector before a recent surge of approvals. The current wave of approvals, exceeding previous monthly totals, as reported by the South China Morning Post, suggests a substantial influx of Chinese games in 2025.
The sheer volume of approved titles raises questions about potential market saturation and competition. Only time will tell which games emerge as frontrunners. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates.