Honor of Kings spin-off Honor of Kings: World part of first batch of releases approved by regulator

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 game licenses for 2025, signals an imminent release. While a specific date remains unannounced, the approval suggests a relatively swift launch.

As the name implies, 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 regions. Previously limited to China and Asia, its massive popularity now extends globally. Honor of Kings: World presents a compelling entry point for MOBA newcomers.

A Significant Milestone

This approval is particularly noteworthy given China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly hampered the nation's game development and publishing sector before a recent surge of approvals. The current wave of approvals, exceeding previous monthly records, as reported by the South China Morning Post, indicates a potential flood of Chinese game releases in 2025. The competitive landscape will undoubtedly intensify, with some titles potentially overshadowing others. Only time will tell.