"Heroes of Newerth Returns, Celebration on Hold"

The MOBA genre is facing challenging times. Both Dota 2 and League of Legends, two of the most popular titles in the genre, are experiencing difficulties. Valve's Dota 2 is increasingly becoming a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while Riot Games' League of Legends seems to be struggling to rejuvenate a project that feels like it's in its twilight years.

Amidst this backdrop, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a game that once rivaled these giants in the early 2010s before shutting down. The game is being revamped on a new engine, and the trailer is generating excitement. While this 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 waned in popularity, and many players have shifted to newer gaming trends and platforms.

Secondly, Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports has often been questioned. The company insists it always believed in Heroes of Newerth's potential, which raises the question: why was the game shut down initially?

Thirdly, the game will be launched on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This brings up another issue—why not Steam? In today's gaming landscape, reaching a broad audience without Valve's platform is a significant challenge.

Image: igames.com

These factors make Heroes of Newerth seem like a niche project with potential for organic growth, but doubts remain significant. On a positive note, there is a clear timeline—the game is slated for release within a year.