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 2025 game releases, signals an imminent launch. While a precise release date remains unconfirmed, the approval suggests a relatively swift market entry.

True to its name, 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 popularity has exploded. Honor of Kings: World could potentially attract even MOBA skeptics with its engaging open-world experience.

A Significant Milestone

This approval holds significant weight, considering China's previous gaming licensing freeze. This period significantly impacted the Chinese gaming development and publishing landscape. The recent thawing of restrictions has led to a surge in approvals, exceeding even last year's highest monthly totals, according to the South China Morning Post.

The influx of approved games suggests a potential wave of Chinese game releases in 2025. The coming months will determine which titles emerge as frontrunners in this competitive market. We'll continue to monitor developments closely.