The classic MOBA, Heroes of Newerth, shut down in 2022, may be poised for a surprising resurgence. While unconfirmed, the developer's renewed activity on Heroes of Newerth's social media platforms—dormant for over three years—suggests a potential announcement is brewing. This follows the game's closure, leaving fans hopeful for a return of this popular League of Legends and Dota 2 competitor.
The success of the Warcraft 3 mod, Dota, spurred numerous studios to create their own Dota-like games. The simple yet captivating concept of two teams battling to destroy each other's bases quickly gained traction. League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, and Heroes of Newerth were prominent MOBAs in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Unfortunately, Heroes of Newerth ultimately couldn't maintain its competitiveness and its servers were closed in 2022. However, recent developments hint at a possible comeback.
My typical MOBA playstyle mirrors that of many MMO players: I favor a top/off-lane bruiser role. In League of Legends, Aatrox and Mordekaiser are favorites; in Dota 2, I gravitate towards Axe, Sven, or Tidehunter. If this role is unavailable, I'm adaptable, though I prefer ranged carry roles over mid or support.
The first indication of a possible Heroes of Newerth return emerged from a recent social media post. The official Twitter account's last post was in December 2021, a farewell message announcing the game's closure. After a three-year hiatus, the developer posted "Happy NEW Year" on January 1st (note the capitalized "NEW"). Furthermore, the Heroes of Newerth website shows subtle changes, now displaying a silhouetted logo with surrounding particles.This wasn't a singular event; it immediately captured players' attention. Many shared nostalgic memories, while others cautiously speculated about a potential return, expressing sentiments like, "Don't give me hope." Further fueling this speculation, a second post appeared on January 6th—an image of a large cracking egg. This second post intensified excitement, sparking various theories. Some believe HoN heroes might be integrated into Dota 2; others anticipate a mobile version.
The renewed social media activity surrounding Heroes of Newerth has undoubtedly thrilled players, demonstrating the game's enduring appeal. The developer's intentions remain unclear, but if the theories prove accurate, it will be fascinating to see how Heroes of Newerth performs against current top-tier MOBA titles.