Renewed Hope for Heroes of Newerth: A Potential Comeback?
Following its 2022 shutdown, the classic MOBA Heroes of Newerth (HoN) is sparking renewed excitement amongst fans. Recent activity on the game's previously dormant social media channels hints at a possible revival. While nothing is confirmed, the developer's re-engagement after a three-year hiatus has ignited speculation and fervent anticipation.
The rise of MOBAs, fueled by the success of Dota, saw numerous contenders emerge in the late 2000s and early 2010s. League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, and HoN all vied for dominance. Unfortunately, HoN ultimately couldn't maintain its competitive edge, leading to its server closure. However, recent events suggest a potential resurgence.
My personal MOBA playstyle leans towards the scrappy top/off-lane bruiser role, mirroring my preferences for champions like Aatrox and Mordekaiser in League of Legends, or Axe, Sven, and Tidehunter in Dota 2. If that role is unavailable, I'm adaptable, though I favor ranged carries over mid or support.
The first sign of a potential HoN comeback came via a social media post. The official Twitter account, silent since its December 2021 shutdown announcement, resurfaced on January 1st with a "Happy NEW Year" message (note the capitalized "NEW"). Simultaneously, the HoN website underwent subtle changes, featuring a silhouetted logo and animated particles.
This unexpected activity immediately captured player attention. Nostalgia flooded in, alongside hopeful (and skeptical) comments such as "Don't give me hope." Further fueling speculation, a subsequent January 6th post depicted a large cracking egg, leading to diverse theories—from HoN hero integration into Dota 2 to the development of a mobile version.
The renewed social media engagement undeniably demonstrates the enduring interest in HoN. The developer's intentions remain unclear, but if the current speculation proves true, HoN's return will be a fascinating development in the competitive MOBA landscape.
