The MOBA genre is facing challenging times, with industry giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing difficulties. Dota 2, developed by Valve, is increasingly becoming a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while Riot Games struggles to revitalize League of Legends, a game that seems to be in its twilight years.
Amid these struggles, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a MOBA that once rivaled these giants in the early 2010s but was later shut down. The game is being rebuilt on a new engine, and the released trailer looks promising, sparking some excitement. However, it's too early to celebrate.
One major concern is that Heroes of Newerth is a re-release of a live-service game from over a decade ago. The MOBA genre has lost its mainstream appeal, and many players have shifted their focus to newer gaming trends and platforms.
Additionally, Garena's track record with supporting projects and esports initiatives has often been questioned. If Garena truly believed in the potential of Heroes of Newerth, why was it shut down in the first place? This raises doubts about the company's commitment to the game's long-term success.
Another issue is the choice of platform for the game's launch. Heroes of Newerth is set to be released on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This decision begs the question: why not Steam? In today's gaming landscape, launching a game without being on Valve's platform can significantly limit its reach and potential audience.
Image: igames.com
These factors position Heroes of Newerth as potentially just another niche project, capable of organic growth but facing significant hurdles. On a positive note, the game has a clear timeline, with an expected release within a year.
