"Heroes of Newerth Returns, Celebration Premature"

The MOBA genre is currently facing significant challenges, with flagship titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing difficulties. Dota 2 appears to be carving out a niche in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends seems to struggle with infusing new life into a game that many feel has hit its twilight years.

In the midst of these challenges, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a MOBA that once competed fiercely with the big names back in the early 2010s but was later discontinued. The new iteration promises to run on a fresh engine, and the trailer has sparked some optimism among fans.

While this news might seem like a 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, and many gamers have shifted their attention to newer platforms and gaming trends.

Secondly, Garena's track record in supporting their projects and esports initiatives has often been called into question. The company insists it always saw potential in Heroes of Newerth, which raises the question: if that's the case, why was the game shut down initially?

Thirdly, the game is set to launch on the iGames platform, which relies partially on crowdfunding. This decision brings up another concern—why not Steam? In today's gaming market, it's challenging to reach a broad audience without leveraging Valve's platform.

Image: igames.com

All these factors contribute to the perception that Heroes of Newerth might remain a niche project with potential for organic growth, yet it faces significant hurdles. On a positive note, there's a clear timeline—the game is slated for release within the next year.