The new IP "King of Chess" will launch in September, with over 50 million pre-registrations.

Honor of Kings, known as the king of mobile games, never sits idly by. Trends are constantly changing. Although the international version has finally entered the global market and is one of the EWC competition projects, society is quietly changing over time. Gaming habits, player preferences, goals and motivations are determined by the social structure. Students who were once addicted to ranking up have grown up and are busy with work. Although they have invested a lot of resources, time and money, their private lives do not allow them to play for too long. A game lasts 30 minutes, and two games may be the limit. Everyone is drawn to the game for its social functions, daily topics, integration into groups, expansion of social circles, and meeting potential partners.

Shifting attitudes towards gaming, narrow MOBA market

The game's attitude is drastically different from previous years. Honor of Kings no longer allows fixed sales methods. While smooth hero controls are important, comparing the national server and the general public, the latter have stronger spending power. A single collaboration can generate huge revenue. Gimmicks and fun stimulate purchasing desires; who has time to care about combat feel? Buy it first, then decide. Being busy with personal matters and remaining stagnant will only cut off the market. Recently, Honor of Kings has been frequently expanding into other casual modes. The game already includes mahjong, farm management, and an RPG, "Honor of Kings World." Now, they've added "Honor of Kings Chess," a chess game scheduled for release in September 2026. Related events can be found on the Honor of Kings website; learn how to download and participate to get rewards.

Playing chess is low-pressure; you don't need to worry about your teammates' reactions.

Don't underestimate the charm of chess games. Not all games are about competition and fighting. As of now, the number of pre-registrations has exceeded 50 million. The official announcement states that the test server will be opened first. Sharing with friends gives you a chance to get a qualification certificate. Strategic battles, fair competition, and free lineup building reduce the trouble of teammate synergy. In comparison, many solo queue players are tired of the interference of MOBA-style ELO mechanisms and simply go to chess. Chess is a game of strategy and intelligence, not mindless team battles and tower pushing.

Honor of Kings has numerous derivative IPs, but the game hasn't officially launched yet. It remains to be seen whether it will be all hype and no substance. Adding a new genre to cater to different audiences is indeed a clever move. If you're a true fan, a single version update and event will keep you busy. What are your thoughts? Do you still prefer the original MOBA, or is reality forcing you to switch to a less stressful game?

Image source: Internet