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 legacy, seems to be losing momentum.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is surprising. This once-significant competitor from the early 2010s, after its initial closure, is being rebuilt on a new engine, and early trailers are encouraging.
However, several concerns remain. Reviving a decade-old live-service MOBA in a market that has shifted away from the genre presents a significant challenge. Many players have migrated to newer platforms and gaming trends.
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 the game's original closure.
Furthermore, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded platform, is puzzling. The absence of a Steam release is particularly notable, as securing a significant player base without Valve's platform is a major hurdle in today's market.
Image: igames.com
While Heroes of Newerth's revival has potential for organic growth, significant doubts remain. The one positive is the projected one-year release timeline.