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

The MOBA genre is facing a challenging period. Giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends are struggling to maintain their dominance. Dota 2 is increasingly becoming a regional phenomenon, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends, despite its legacy, appears to be losing momentum.

Against this backdrop, Garena's announcement of Heroes of Newerth's revival is intriguing. This once-prominent competitor from the early 2010s, which ultimately shut down, is being rebuilt on a new engine, and initial trailers are encouraging.

While this news might seem cause for celebration, several concerns remain. Releasing a decade-old live-service MOBA in a market that has shifted away from the genre presents a significant hurdle. Player migration to newer platforms and gaming trends poses a substantial challenge.

Garena's track record with game support and esports also raises questions. Their claim of always believing in Heroes of Newerth's potential clashes with the game's initial closure. This inconsistency warrants scrutiny.

Furthermore, the game's launch on the iGames platform, a partially crowdfunded initiative, is notable. The absence of a Steam release is particularly striking. Securing a broad audience in the modern gaming landscape is difficult without access to Valve's platform.

Image: igames.com

These factors cast doubt on Heroes of Newerth's potential for widespread success. While organic growth is possible, the project's scale and future remain uncertain. The one positive is a defined release window—a launch within the next year is anticipated.