Honor of Kings: World, the much-anticipated open-world RPG spin-off of Tencent's blockbuster MOBA, has officially received approval from Chinese regulators. This approval came as part of the first batch of games greenlit for release in 2025, marking a significant step forward for the title. Although a specific release date has not yet been announced, this approval suggests that fans won't have to wait much longer to dive into this expansive new world.

As the name suggests, Honor of Kings: World takes the beloved universe of Honor of Kings and transforms it into a vast open-world experience. The game was prominently featured during the showcase for the upcoming iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning graphics and immersive open-world gameplay.

For those unfamiliar, Honor of Kings is one of the world's most popular MOBAs. Initially limited to China and other Asian countries, it has surpassed even Riot Games' League of Legends in terms of player base. With Honor of Kings: World, Tencent aims to attract not only existing fans but also those who may have been skeptical about MOBAs, offering them a fresh and engaging entry point into the franchise.

A World AwayWhile this news might not seem groundbreaking at first glance, it's important to consider the context. China experienced a significant gaming licensing freeze a couple of years ago, which had a profound impact on the country's game development and publishing industry. The subsequent thaw led to a surge in game releases, and the recent wave of approvals for 2025, as reported by the South China Morning Post, is the highest monthly total since last year.

This development raises questions about the potential flood of new games from China in 2025. Will some titles be overshadowed by others? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the gaming landscape is set to become even more exciting and competitive in the coming year.