The MOBA genre is facing a downturn. Giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are struggling. Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends, despite its massive player base, seems to be losing momentum.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is surprising. This once-prominent competitor from the early 2010s, after its previous closure, is being rebuilt on a new engine, and initial trailers are encouraging.
However, several concerns remain. Releasing a decade-old live-service MOBA in a market that has shifted away from the genre presents a significant challenge. Many players have embraced new platforms and gaming trends, making it difficult to recapture a large audience.
Garena's track record with game support and esports also raises questions. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with their decision to shut it down initially. This lack of transparency is a cause for concern.
Furthermore, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded initiative, is puzzling. The absence of a Steam release is particularly notable. Securing a substantial player base today is difficult without Valve's platform.
Image: igames.com
While Heroes of Newerth's revival offers a glimmer of hope for niche growth, significant hurdles remain. The one-year release timeline, however, provides a concrete target.
