Honor of Kings, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that’s wildly popular in China, will finally go global.
Originally released in China in November 2015, Honor of Kings is slated for a worldwide launch on June 20. Pre-registration for the game began on May 16, with users enticed to sign up through incentives like free heroes and in-game currencies. Meanwhile, players in regions where the game is already available can join a lucky draw event for a chance to unlock heroes, win hero skins, and earn in-game currencies.
Developed by TiMi Studio Group—the same studio behind Pokémon Unite and a Monster Hunter mobile game currently under development—and published by Tencent Games, Honor of Kings had more than 100 million daily active players in 2020. Its global release is expected to bring in a surge of new and returning players. The game is available on the iOS and Android platforms.
Although the global launch is scheduled for June as announced, Honor of Kings has already expanded to other markets outside China since 2022. Brazil has had the game since March 2023. Nearly a year later, in February 2024, the game expanded to the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. An international version, “Arena of Valor,” was also released in October 2016 with a revamped user interface and heroes to appeal to Western gamers.