Shuttered MOBA Heroes of Newerth Might Be Coming Back

Summary

• Following its 2022 closure, the developer of Heroes of Newerth has hinted at a potential return via social media.
• Recent Twitter activity from the developer has sparked fan speculation about a Heroes of Newerth revival.
• Significant player interest in a potential Heroes of Newerth comeback persists.

The classic MOBA, Heroes of Newerth, unexpectedly shut down in 2022, may be poised for a comeback. While unconfirmed, the developer's recent reactivation of Heroes of Newerth's social media presence—dormant for over three years—suggests a possible announcement is brewing. This follows the trend of numerous Dota clones emerging after the success of the Warcraft 3 mod, Dota. Games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, and Heroes of Newerth dominated the MOBA landscape in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, Heroes of Newerth ultimately couldn't maintain its competitive edge, leading to its closure. Recent hints, though, point toward a potential resurgence.

My typical MOBA playstyle mirrors that of many MMO players: I favor a bruiser role in the top or off-lane. Aatrox and Mordekaiser are favorites in League of Legends, while in Dota 2, I gravitate towards Axe, Sven, or Tidehunter. If these roles are unavailable, I'm adaptable, but I generally prefer ranged carry over mid or support.

PostsThe first indication of a possible Heroes of Newerth return came via a recent social media post. The official Twitter account's previous post, in December 2021, announced the game's permanent closure. After a three-year hiatus, the developer, Garena, posted a "Happy NEW Year" message (note the capitalized "NEW") on January 1st. Furthermore, subtle changes to the Heroes of Newerth website—a silhouetted logo with surrounding particles—have added fuel to the speculation.

Heroes of Newerth's Social Media Activity Fuels Comeback Speculation

This activity wasn't overlooked by players. The posts triggered a wave of nostalgia and speculation, with comments ranging from hopeful anticipation to cautious skepticism ("Don't give me hope"). Further fueling the excitement, a subsequent post on January 6th featured an image of a large cracking egg. This second post intensified speculation, with theories ranging from HoN hero integration into Dota 2 to the development of a mobile version.

The renewed social media activity surrounding Heroes of Newerth has undeniably invigorated the player base, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the game. The developer's intentions remain unclear, but if the current theories prove accurate, it will be fascinating to see how Heroes of Newerth fares against today's leading MOBAs.