Tencent's Action Game Approved for Release

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 2025 game releases, signals an imminent launch, although a specific date remains unannounced.

True to its name, 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 popularity within certain markets. While initially limited to China and Asia, its widespread success makes Honor of Kings: World a potentially significant title for a broader audience. This open-world spin-off might even attract players previously hesitant about the MOBA genre.

A significant development

This regulatory approval is particularly noteworthy given China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly impacted game development and publishing in the region 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), suggests a potential flood of Chinese game releases in 2025. The coming months will reveal whether this leads to a highly competitive market or some titles being overshadowed. We'll continue to monitor the situation.