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

The MOBA genre is facing a downturn. Giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are struggling. Dota 2 is becoming increasingly regionalized, while League of Legends, despite its popularity, seems to be losing momentum.

Against this backdrop, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a significant MOBA competitor from the early 2010s. Developed on a new engine, the trailer is undeniably promising.

While this news might seem cause for celebration, several concerns remain. Firstly, this is a re-release of a decade-old live-service game. The MOBA genre's popularity has waned, and many players have shifted to newer games and platforms.

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 puzzling. The absence of a Steam release is a significant hurdle. Reaching a wide audience without Valve's platform is a considerable challenge in today's market.

Image: igames.com

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