Honor of Kings: World Gains Regulatory Approval in 2025 First Batch

• Honor of Kings: World, the new open-world RPG, secures regulatory approval
• It joins the first group of games greenlit for 2025 by Chinese authorities
• No confirmed release date yet, but launch is expected soon

Honor of Kings: World, the anticipated open-world RPG spin-off from Tencent’s popular MOBA, has received approval from Chinese regulators. It was included in the first wave of game approvals for 2025, a mandatory step for all game releases in China.

Honor of Kings: World broadens the franchise’s universe, offering players an immersive open-world experience. The game was prominently featured in a showcase for the iPhone 16, highlighting its stunning visuals and expansive gameplay.

Honor of Kings needs no introduction, as it ranks among the world’s top MOBAs, surpassing even Riot Games’ League of Legends in scale. Previously limited to China and parts of Asia, this spin-off could attract MOBA skeptics with its fresh open-world approach.

A New Horizon

Though it may not seem like major news, China’s gaming industry faced a licensing freeze a couple of years ago, which significantly impacted developers and publishers. The freeze eventually lifted, leading to a surge in new releases.

Global attention now focuses on these approvals, as they signal when new titles might hit the market. According to the South China Morning Post, this month’s approvals exceed last year’s peak monthly totals.

Will 2025 bring a flood of new games from China? Could some titles get lost in the crowd? Stay tuned for updates as the release landscape unfolds.