Heroes of Newerth: A Potential Comeback?
Rumors of a Heroes of Newerth revival are swirling among fans after a period of silence from the developer. Following the game's closure in 2022, recent activity on the official social media channels has sparked speculation about a possible return.
The classic MOBA, a prominent competitor to League of Legends and Dota 2 in its heyday, ceased operations in 2022. However, the developer's recent social media posts, after a three-year hiatus, hint at a potential announcement. This follows a trend seen in other revived games where developer activity precedes official announcements.
The MOBA genre exploded in popularity following the success of Dota, a Warcraft 3 mod. Many developers created similar games, and Heroes of Newerth was a significant player in the early 2010s alongside League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm. While unable to maintain its competitive edge, the game holds a nostalgic place for many players.
Personally, I gravitate towards a top/off-lane bruiser role in MOBAs, similar to Aatrox or Mordekaiser in League of Legends, or Axe, Sven, and Tidehunter in Dota 2. If that role is unavailable, I'm flexible, preferring ranged carry roles over mid or support.
The first clue appeared on January 1st with a "Happy NEW Year" post, the "NEW" conspicuously capitalized, on the previously dormant Twitter account. This followed the December 2021 announcement of the game's shutdown. Further fueling speculation, subtle updates to the Heroes of Newerth website now display a silhouetted logo with animated particles.The renewed social media activity didn't stop there. On January 6th, a cryptic image of a large cracking egg was posted, further intensifying the anticipation. Fan theories range from a potential HoN hero import into Dota 2 to a new mobile version of the game.
The developer's actions have undeniably rekindled player enthusiasm, demonstrating the enduring popularity of Heroes of Newerth. While the specifics remain unclear, the possibility of a return is exciting, especially considering the current competitive MOBA landscape. The potential impact of a revived Heroes of Newerth on the market will be intriguing to observe.
