Honor of Kings: World Approved in First Batch by Regulator

Exciting news for fans of Tencent's colossal MOBA, Honor of Kings: The eagerly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off, Honor of Kings: World, has officially received the green light from Chinese regulators. Approved in the first batch of new releases for 2025, this development signals that the game's release is on the horizon, although a specific date remains under wraps.

As its name suggests, Honor of Kings: World promises to broaden the horizons of the Honor of Kings universe by offering players the chance to delve into an expansive open world. The game was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning graphics and immersive open-world gameplay.

For those unfamiliar, Honor of Kings needs no introduction. It has grown to become one of the world's most popular MOBAs, surpassing even Riot Games' League of Legends in certain regions. Previously confined to China and other Asian markets, Honor of Kings has captured a massive audience. Now, with Honor of Kings: World, Tencent aims to entice not just MOBA enthusiasts but also those who might be skeptical of the genre.

This approval is more significant than it might seem at first glance. A few years ago, China implemented a gaming licensing 'freeze' that had a profound impact on the industry, slowing down the release of new games. This freeze eventually thawed, leading to a surge in game approvals. The recent wave of approvals, as reported by the South China Morning Post, has exceeded the highest monthly figures from last year, indicating a robust pipeline of new games coming from China in 2025.

With this influx of new titles, there's potential for some games to be overshadowed by others. As we move closer to 2025, keep an eye on this space for more updates on Honor of Kings: World and other exciting releases from China.