Honor of Kings tops the global mobile game revenue charts again. How can MOBA games defeat card games?

Having operated for over ten years, the game has attracted a large number of haters who are looking for scandals or negative consumer feedback to spread criticism of Honor of Kings online. Their aim is to see this mobile game giant fall, as they are unhappy with its stable operation and enduring success, especially those who have suffered from the ELO system. They simply don't want to see it develop rapidly and expand its market, so they always nitpick, saying that the skin designs are terrible, substandard, or immoral. They also post on forums to hurl insults about the terrible losing streak experience and constantly try to persuade people to quit the game.

However, Honor of Kings is burdened with heavy pressure and rumors of its impending demise. But data never lies. The global mobile game revenue rankings have been updated, and this game has once again taken the top spot. This is not surprising. It is undeniable that the frequency of skin releases has decreased, as if the hype has diminished, and version update benefits have been reduced. However, its market expansion is no longer limited to skin sales, but rather to game modes, new games, animations, offline events, international servers, esports, and so on. It is a complete business operation that integrates entertainment and social interaction.

An average of 20 new mobile games are released every month.

Honor of Kings is like the final boss in the game, with challengers constantly raising slogans to dethrone it. After entering the market, they claimed that anime-style games would replace traditional Chinese games, open-world games were the new trend, card games were the new favorite, and MOBA games still had a place. The game operators are far from short-sighted; if they had only focused on the competitive aspect, they would have quickly fallen from their pedestal. Instead, they firmly hold the throne of the mobile game industry. Data shows that in April, their revenue reached $138 million, topping the charts for the fourth consecutive month. So, what aspect confirms that the game industry is on the verge of collapse?

The impressive performance is rare and remarkable for an older mobile game, especially considering the competitive mobile gaming environment is more competitive than expected. In May alone, over 20 mobile games were released, particularly those with card-based gameplay. The logic is similar to opening blind boxes; both are based on probability, and getting a desired collectible is like winning the lottery, bringing unexpected joy. In contrast, MOBA games rely on teammates and opponents for probability. The ELO system records hidden MMR and distributes players of similar skill levels. Unfortunately, reality is harsh; the initial popularity lasts only a few weeks before rapidly declining and being swallowed up by the market.

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