The MOBA landscape is facing challenges. Established giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are encountering difficulties; Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends appears to be struggling to maintain momentum.
Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is intriguing. This MOBA, a significant competitor in the early 2010s, is being relaunched with a new engine, and initial trailers are encouraging.
However, several concerns remain. Firstly, the game's age is a significant hurdle. MOBAs have declined in popularity, and player bases have shifted to newer genres and platforms.
Secondly, Garena's track record with long-term game support and esports initiatives raises questions. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's previous closure.
Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded platform, is noteworthy. The absence of a Steam release is a considerable drawback, as Steam remains crucial for broad audience reach in the current gaming market.
Image: igames.com
While Heroes of Newerth's revival presents potential for organic growth, significant uncertainties remain. The one positive is the projected one-year release timeframe.
