Honor of Kings is a highly popular game with over 100 million daily players, currently only available in China. However, the game is set to be released globally in phases across different regions in 2024. Ahead of the phased release, the developer has revealed the esports plans for Honor of Kings in 2024.
Honor of Kings already has a developed esports scene in China, with high-stakes Professional Leagues as LAN events. The previous season of the King Pro League (KPL) had a prize pool of more than $2.5 million, while the International Championship (KIC) had a prize pool of $10 million. Tencent has pledged $15 million to the global esports ecosystem in 2024 alone, indicating the popularity of the game and its potential in other regions.
Image Credits: Level Infinite
“At the core of our ecosystem, we will be focusing on you, the player, and teams around the world,” said Jan M. Jahnke, the lead for global esports product at Level Infinite, the game’s publisher.
Tencent reveals 4 global Honor of Kings Esports tournaments
Tencent plans to bring local tournaments to different regions and has revealed four global tournaments, starting with the Honor of Kings Invitational Series. The first season will take place in March 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey, followed by the second season, details for which are yet to be announced.
Image Credits: Level Infinite
In the summer, Tencent will host the Honor of Kings Mid-Season Invitational with a prize pool of $1 million, and the year will culminate with the Honor of Kings Championship Invitational, both as LAN events featuring teams from various regions, including China.
Can the game rival MLBB?
When discussing the global mobile MOBA scene, MOONTON’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) is the dominant game. However, with the delayed release of the global version of Honor of Kings, MOONTON has had time to establish a base in other regions. Nonetheless, Tencent’s $15 million investment in global esports is a positive sign for Honor of Kings in building a robust esports scene.
Image Credits: Level Infinite
With experience in growing games like PUBG Mobile, Tencent’s commitment to building a global roadmap with frequent international events signals potential success for Honor of Kings.
