Heroes of Newerth Returns, Celebration on Hold

The MOBA genre is currently facing a challenging period, with two of its most iconic titles, Dota 2 and League of Legends, experiencing a decline in popularity. Valve's game has largely become a specialized offering, primarily enjoyed in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends appears to be treading water, seemingly unable to recapture the excitement it once generated.

In this context, the announcement of Heroes of Newerth's return by Garena has sparked both enthusiasm and skepticism. Once a formidable contender in the early 2010s MOBA scene, the game is now being relaunched with a new engine, and the accompanying trailer shows promise.

However, several concerns arise with this revival. First, the MOBA genre has lost significant traction, and many players have shifted their focus to newer platforms and gaming trends. Releasing a live-service game that is over a decade old in this environment poses a considerable challenge.

Second, Garena’s history of supporting projects and esports has often been met with scrutiny. Given the company's previous decision to shut down the game, the timing and motivation behind its reintroduction warrant careful consideration.

Adding to the uncertainty, the game will launch on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This raises the question of why it isn’t available on Steam, a platform essential for reaching a broad audience today.

Despite these challenges, Heroes of Newerth retains a niche appeal, with the potential to grow organically. At least there’s clarity on the timeline—Garena aims for a release within the year. While the future remains uncertain, fans of the genre will undoubtedly keep a close eye on this development.

Image: igames.com