"Honor of Kings: World Approved in First Batch by Regulator"

The highly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off, Honor of Kings: World, derived from Tencent's blockbuster MOBA, Honor of Kings, has officially received approval from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the inaugural batch of new game releases greenlit for 2025, marking a significant milestone as all games in China must pass regulatory scrutiny before hitting the market.

As the name suggests, Honor of Kings: World expands the beloved universe into a vast, explorable open world. It was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning graphics and immersive open-world gameplay. This spin-off promises to offer fans a new way to engage with the Honor of Kings universe.

For those familiar with the gaming scene, Honor of Kings needs no introduction. It's one of the world's most popular MOBAs, surpassing even Riot Games' League of Legends in terms of player base, despite being initially limited to China and other Asian countries. Honor of Kings: World could be the perfect entry point for those who have yet to dive into the MOBA genre, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise.

A world away from the typical MOBA experience, Honor of Kings: World represents a significant expansion of the franchise. While the news of its approval might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, it's worth noting that China experienced a gaming licensing 'freeze' a couple of years ago. This freeze had a profound impact on the country's game development and publishing industry, halting progress until it was lifted, leading to a subsequent flood of new releases.

Globally, the gaming community has been closely monitoring these approvals, as they provide insight into when we can expect new titles to become available. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's wave of approvals has exceeded the highest number of monthly approvals seen last year. This surge suggests that 2025 could see an influx of new games from China, potentially leading to a crowded market where some titles might be overshadowed by others. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how this unfolds.