"Heroes of Newerth Returns: Celebration on Hold"

The MOBA genre is currently facing significant challenges. Two of its giants, Dota 2 and League of Legends, are experiencing difficulties. Dota 2 has increasingly become a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends seems to be struggling to revitalize a game that many feel is in its twilight years.

In the midst of these struggles, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a MOBA that was once a formidable competitor to Dota 2 and League of Legends in the early 2010s, but which was later discontinued. The new version of the game is being developed on a modern engine, and the trailer has generated some excitement.

While this news might be cause for celebration, there are several concerns to consider. Firstly, Heroes of Newerth is a re-release of a live-service game that's over a decade old. The MOBA genre has seen a decline in popularity, with many players shifting to new gaming trends and platforms.

Secondly, Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports has often been questioned. The company insists it always believed in the potential of Heroes of Newerth, which raises the question: why was the game shut down initially?

Thirdly, the game is set to launch on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This decision prompts another question: why not Steam? In today's gaming landscape, it's challenging to attract a broad audience without leveraging Valve's platform.

Image: igames.com

These factors suggest that Heroes of Newerth might remain a niche project with potential for organic growth, but there are substantial doubts about its broader success. On a positive note, the game is slated for release within the next year.