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Heroes of Newerth is coming back, rebuilt in a new engine

The classic MOBA Heroes of Newerth is returning with an updated version, Heroes of Newerth: Reborn. Developed by Kongor Studios and published by Garena, this reimagining aims to recapture the magic of the original while introducing modern enhancements and a refreshed gameplay experience.

Inspired by the iconic Warcraft 3 mod Defense of the Ancients, Heroes of Newerth captured the hearts of MOBA fans with its strategic gameplay and diverse hero roster in the 2010s. However, the game's popularity waned due to fierce competition from giants like Dota 2 and League of Legends, leading to its shutdown in 2022.

But the spirit of Heroes of Newerth lived on through Project Kongor, a dedicated community effort to keep the game alive. Now, Kongor Studios is officially resurrecting the beloved MOBA with Heroes of Newerth: Reborn, rebuilt on the iGames engine and featuring a host of improvements, including a new role queue system and enhanced combat mechanics.

In an interview with PCGamesN, Nick “BreakyCPK” Caras, Kongor Studios' Director of Communications, explained the motivation behind this revival. “While Heroes of Newerth enjoyed significant success during its time, many, including us at Kongor Studios, felt that its closure came too soon,” Caras shared. “Our goal is not only to revive Heroes of Newerth but also to enhance it by introducing improvements while preserving the core elements that made the original so beloved.”

This delicate balance between nostalgia and modernisation is crucial for appealing to veteran players and newcomers. Caras emphasised the team's commitment to this challenge, highlighting the upgraded iGames engine, enhanced graphics and audio, and other improvements that will bring the game up to modern standards.

While Heroes of Newerth: Reborn doesn't aim to compete directly with the MOBA titans, Kongor Studios believes it can carve out its niche by offering a unique and engaging experience. This is particularly relevant in the current landscape, where Dota 2 faces declining player numbers in the West, and League of Legends has been criticised for its aggressive monetisation strategies. Caras assured us that microtransactions would be part of the game's monetisation strategy, but they won't be the sole focus.

Heroes of Newerth: Reborn will be free-to-play and launch with a roster of 80 characters. While a specific release date hasn't been announced, you can follow the project's development on the official Heroes of Newerth: Reborn website.

KitGuru says: Did you play the original Heroes of Newerth? Are you planning to come back to play the new version?

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