India’s mobile gaming landscape is witnessing a seismic shift as the world’s two largest MOBA titles, Honor of Kings (HoK) and Moba Legends: 5v5!, launch aggressive expansion campaigns.
In a video announcement, Honor of Kings Game Producer Dean Huang confirmed the title’s official launch in India, marking a pivotal moment in Tencent’s strategy to integrate the territory into its premier global esports circuit.
As part of the launch, India will be granted two direct qualification slots for the Honor of Kings World Cup (KWC) at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. To ensure cultural resonance, Huang revealed plans to release two new champions inspired by Indian mythology and history, alongside a massive investment into the local creator ecosystem. This initiative includes “incentive activities” and exposure support designed to build a sustainable community of influencers around the title.
This move by Level Infinite, a Tencent subsidiary responsible for HoK operations outside of China, highlights India’s transition from a “potential” market to a primary focal point for international investment.
The region has benefited from significant regulatory improvements and initiatives like JioBLAST, alongside the continued infrastructure expansion of NODWIN Gaming. The scale of this interest is best exemplified by Korean giant KRAFTON, which recently committed an additional $200 million to the Indian market over the next four years, following the continued success of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).
However, Honor of Kings faces immediate and fierce competition. Mineski Events Team has partnered with Vizta Games—the affiliated publisher for MOONTON Games in restricted markets—to host the Moba Legends: 5v5! Master Series (MLMS) in India. Moba Legends: 5v5! is the specifically rebranded version of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, tailored to navigate the regulatory environment following the 2020 ban on the original title.
The MLMS carries significant stakes: the winning team will also represent India at the Esports World Cup 2026. This move mirrors the integration of BGMI into the wider PUBG Mobile global ecosystem, providing a legitimate national qualification route for local talent to reach the world stage.
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