Tencent's Honor of Kings Spin-Off Gets Regulatory Nod

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 unannounced, the regulatory green light 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 markets. Previously limited to China and Asia, its immense popularity now extends worldwide. Honor of Kings: World offers a compelling entry point for MOBA skeptics.

A significant development

This approval holds significant weight, considering 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 even last year's highest monthly figures (as reported by the South China Morning Post), is noteworthy.

The influx of approved games raises questions about the competitive landscape in 2025. Will some titles overshadow others? Only time will tell. We'll continue to monitor developments and provide updates.