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 green light 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 some regions. Initially limited to China and Asia, its popularity exploded, and now, Honor of Kings: World might entice even MOBA skeptics.
A Significant Milestone
This approval holds significant weight, 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 even last year's peak monthly numbers (according to the South China Morning Post), is noteworthy.
The sheer volume of approvals suggests a potential flood of Chinese games in 2025. However, the competitive landscape may lead to some titles being overshadowed. Only time will tell which games emerge as frontrunners. We'll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
