Heroes of Newerth made a comeback, but it's too early to celebrate

The MOBA genre faces challenges, with established giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing declining popularity. 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—a noteworthy MOBA competitor from the early 2010s—has generated mixed reactions. The game, rebuilt with a new engine, boasts an impressive trailer.

However, several concerns remain. Firstly, relaunching a decade-old live-service game in a declining genre presents significant hurdles. Player migration to newer platforms and gaming trends poses a considerable obstacle.

Secondly, Garena's track record with game support and esports raises questions. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure.

Thirdly, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded platform, is perplexing. The absence of a Steam release is a major drawback, limiting potential reach in the modern gaming landscape. Broad appeal is difficult to achieve without Valve's prominent platform.

Image: igames.com

These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's potential for widespread success, suggesting it may remain a niche title. Despite these uncertainties, the projected one-year release timeline offers a glimmer of hope for organic growth.