The MOBA genre is facing a challenging period. Giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are struggling to maintain their dominance. Dota 2 is increasingly becoming a niche title, primarily popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends, despite its enduring popularity, seems to be losing momentum, feeling somewhat past its prime.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is surprising. This once-formidable competitor from the early 2010s, which ultimately shut down, is being rebuilt on a new engine, and initial trailers look promising.
While this news might seem cause for celebration, several concerns remain. Firstly, this is a re-release of a decade-old live-service game. The MOBA genre's popularity has waned, with many players migrating to newer platforms and gaming trends.
Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports initiatives is questionable. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure. This raises concerns about their long-term commitment.
Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded platform, is perplexing. The notable absence of a Steam release is a significant drawback. Securing a large player base today is difficult without Valve's platform.
Image: igames.com
These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's potential for widespread success, suggesting it may remain a niche project. However, the projected one-year release timeline offers a glimmer of hope for organic growth.