If any genre could claim the title of King of Esports, it would undoubtedly be the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA). Originating as a mod for Warcraft, MOBAs have evolved into a blend of real-time strategy and hack 'n slash action, spawning countless iterations. While League of Legends currently holds the crown, Tencent's Honor of Kings is emerging as a formidable contender.
Today's esports news highlights this rivalry. Nova Esports has emerged victorious at the Honor of Kings Invitational season three, solidifying their status as champions. Simultaneously, OG Esports, known for their dominance in the MOBA scene, has announced the formation of a new team dedicated to competing in future Honor of Kings tournaments.
These developments are a significant boost for both the competitors and Honor of Kings itself. One of the key challenges in developing a world-class esports scene is attracting top talent, and Tencent's MOBA seems to be achieving this with remarkable ease.
Above and beyondIt's not hard to see why. Honor of Kings boasts a dedicated fanbase in China that rivals that of League of Legends and surpasses many other games. The esports scene provides these fans with an exciting new way to engage with their beloved MOBA.
The big question now is whether Honor of Kings can match League of Legends' impact on popular culture. While it did feature in the recent Amazon anthology Secret Level, Honor of Kings has yet to make a narrative impact akin to something like Arcane.
Could this change? It's uncertain, but one thing is clear: in the realm of esports, Honor of Kings is now where the elite compete.
