"Honor of Kings: World Approved for Release by Regulator"

The highly anticipated open-world RPG spin-off from Tencent's blockbuster MOBA, Honor of Kings: World, has officially received the green light from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the first batch of new game releases sanctioned for 2025, marking a significant step forward for the game as all titles in China must undergo regulatory approval before they can be released.

As the name suggests, Honor of Kings: World expands the beloved Honor of Kings universe into a vast open world, allowing players to explore its expanses in a whole new way. The game was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning graphics and immersive open-world gameplay.

For those already familiar with the scene, introducing Honor of Kings might seem unnecessary. It's a global phenomenon and one of the world's biggest MOBAs, previously restricted to China and other Asian countries. Despite these limitations, it surpassed even Riot Games' iconic League of Legends in popularity. Honor of Kings: World could serve as the perfect entry point for MOBA skeptics, drawing them into the expansive universe of Honor of Kings.

A World Away - While this news might not appear groundbreaking at first glance, it's crucial to understand the context. China's gaming industry faced a significant licensing 'freeze' a couple of years ago, which had a profound impact on the development and publishing sectors. The subsequent thaw led to a surge of game releases. Now, with the recent wave of approvals, including Honor of Kings: World, surpassing last year's highest monthly approvals according to the South China Morning Post, the industry is buzzing with anticipation.

These approvals not only signal the potential release timeline for eagerly awaited games but also hint at an impending flood of new titles from China in 2025. This could lead to a competitive landscape where some games might be overshadowed by others. As we keep an eye on these developments, the gaming community worldwide waits eagerly to see what the future holds.