The MOBA landscape is currently facing challenges. Established giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are experiencing difficulties; Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends appears to be losing momentum.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is intriguing. This MOBA, a significant competitor in the early 2010s, is being rebuilt with a new engine, and initial trailers are encouraging.
However, several concerns exist. Firstly, reviving a decade-old live-service game in a genre that's declined in popularity presents a significant hurdle. Player migration to newer platforms and gaming trends poses a substantial challenge.
Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports raises questions. Their claim of always believing 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 platform, is noteworthy. The absence of a Steam release is a significant omission, considering Steam's crucial role in reaching a broad audience.
Image: igames.com
These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's potential for widespread success, suggesting it might remain a niche title. However, the one-year release timeline offers a degree of optimism. The game's future remains uncertain, but its return is certainly a development worth watching.
