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 licenses issued for 2025, signals an imminent release. While a specific date remains unannounced, the regulatory green light suggests a relatively swift launch.

As the name implies, Honor of Kings: World expands the franchise beyond the original MOBA format, offering players a vast open world to explore. 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, despite its initial regional limitations. Honor of Kings: World presents a compelling entry point for MOBA skeptics, offering a fresh perspective on the genre.

A Significant Milestone

This approval is significant, considering China's previous gaming licensing freeze, which significantly impacted game development and publishing. The recent thawing of restrictions, marked by a surge in approvals this month exceeding previous yearly highs (as reported by the South China Morning Post), indicates a potential flood of Chinese game releases in 2025. The coming months will reveal which titles emerge as frontrunners in this competitive landscape.