The MOBA genre is currently facing significant challenges. Two of its giants, Dota 2 and League of Legends, are experiencing difficulties. Dota 2 has increasingly become a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends appears to be in a phase where Riot Games struggles to reinvigorate the project with fresh energy.
Amid these struggles, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a game that was once a formidable competitor to Dota 2 and League of Legends in the early 2010s but was later discontinued. The game is being developed on a new engine, and the trailer looks promising, sparking some excitement. However, it's too early to celebrate fully.
One major concern is that Heroes of Newerth is a re-release of a live-service game that's over a decade old. The MOBA genre has seen a decline in popularity, and many players have shifted to newer gaming trends and platforms. This could impact the game's ability to attract a large audience.
Another issue is Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports, which has often been questioned. Despite Garena's claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential, the initial shutdown of the game raises doubts about the company's commitment.
Moreover, the game is set to launch on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This decision raises questions about the absence of Steam, a critical platform for reaching a broad gaming audience today. Without Steam's reach, Heroes of Newerth risks remaining a niche project with limited growth potential.
Despite these concerns, there's a positive note—the game is slated for release within a year. This timeline offers hope that Heroes of Newerth could organically grow and perhaps recapture some of its former glory. However, the challenges it faces are significant, and only time will tell if this revival can succeed in the current gaming landscape.
Image: igames.com
