The MOBA genre is facing significant challenges, with two of its giants, Dota 2 and League of Legends, encountering difficulties. Valve's Dota 2 appears to be narrowing its focus to Eastern Europe, while Riot Games struggles to revitalize League of Legends, which many feel has reached a mature stage. Amid these challenges, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a game that once rivaled these giants in the early 2010s but was later discontinued. The new version of the game is being developed on a fresh engine, and its trailer has sparked interest.
While this revival might seem like a cause for celebration, there are several concerns to consider. Firstly, Heroes of Newerth is a re-release of a live-service game that's over a decade old. The MOBA genre has lost some of its former popularity, with many gamers shifting towards newer platforms and gaming trends. Secondly, Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports has often been questioned. If the company truly believed in the game's potential, why was it shut down initially? Lastly, the game will be launched on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This raises the question of why it's not being released on Steam, a platform crucial for reaching a broader audience today.
These factors suggest that Heroes of Newerth might remain a niche project with potential for organic growth, but there are substantial doubts about its broader impact. On a positive note, the game is slated for release within a year, providing a clear timeline for its comeback.
Image: igames.com
