The MOBA genre faces challenging times, with stalwarts like Dota 2 and League of Legends experiencing struggles. Dota 2 has largely become a niche product, particularly popular in Eastern Europe, while League of Legends seems to be in a phase where Riot Games is struggling to rejuvenate the game, hinting at a decline.

Amidst these challenges, Garena has announced the revival of Heroes of Newerth, a game that once rivaled Dota 2 and League of Legends in the early 2010s but later shut down. The game is now being developed on a new engine, and the trailer looks quite promising. 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 lost much of its former popularity, and many players have shifted to newer gaming platforms and trends. Secondly, Garena's track record in supporting projects and esports has often been questioned. If the company truly believed in Heroes of Newerth's potential, why was it shut down initially? Lastly, the game is set to launch on the iGames platform, which is partially crowdfunded. This raises the question: why not Steam? In today's gaming landscape, reaching a broad audience without Valve's platform is a significant challenge.

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. On a positive note, the game is slated for release within a year, providing a clear timeline for its return.