Tencent's 'Honor of Kings: World' Among First Batch of Game Approvals

Honor of Kings: World, the highly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off of Tencent's popular MOBA, Honor of Kings, has received approval from Chinese regulators. This approval, part of the first batch of 2025 game releases, signals an imminent launch. While a precise release date remains unannounced, the approval suggests a relatively swift market entry.

True to its name, Honor of Kings: World expands the Honor of Kings universe into a fully explorable open world. Its impressive graphics and open-world gameplay were prominently featured during the iPhone 16 showcase.

For those unfamiliar, Honor of Kings is a globally renowned MOBA, surpassing even League of Legends in certain markets. Initially limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity has now extended its reach. Honor of Kings: World presents a compelling entry point for MOBA skeptics.

A Significant Milestone

This regulatory approval holds significant weight, considering China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly hampered the nation's game development and publishing sector before a recent surge of approvals.

Global attention is focused on these approvals, offering insights into upcoming game releases. According to the South China Morning Post, this month's approvals exceed even the highest monthly totals of the previous year.

The prospect of a substantial influx of Chinese games in 2025 raises questions about potential market saturation and competition. Only time will tell the ultimate impact. We will continue to monitor developments.