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

The MOBA genre faces challenges, with giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing declining popularity. Dota 2 is becoming primarily an Eastern European phenomenon, while League of Legends struggles 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's new engine and promising trailer offer a glimmer of hope.

However, several concerns remain. Firstly, it's a re-release of a decade-old live-service game in a genre that's seen a significant decline in popularity. Many players have shifted to different platforms and gaming trends.

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

Thirdly, the game's launch on the partially crowdfunded iGames platform is puzzling. The absence of a Steam release is a significant drawback, hindering its potential to reach a wider audience.

Image: igames.com

These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's prospects, suggesting it might remain a niche title. Despite this, the projected one-year release timeline offers a degree of optimism.