The MOBA genre faces challenges, with giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing waning popularity. Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends struggles to maintain momentum. Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival—a once-prominent MOBA from the early 2010s—is intriguing. Developed on a new engine, the trailer suggests a promising return.
However, several concerns remain. Firstly, reviving a decade-old live-service game in a genre experiencing a decline presents significant hurdles. Player preferences have shifted, and many have migrated to newer platforms and gaming trends.
Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports raises questions. Their claim of unwavering belief in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure.
Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded initiative, is noteworthy. The absence of a Steam release is a significant drawback, hindering its potential reach to a wider audience. A strong Steam presence is crucial for broad appeal in today's market.
Image: igames.com
While Heroes of Newerth could potentially cultivate a dedicated niche following, substantial uncertainty remains. The one positive is the projected one-year release timeframe.
