MOBA
Ongoing coverage on MOBA.
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A year after its debut, Blizzard is done adding new heroes and maps to Overwatch's MOBA-inspired Stadium mode
Blizzard Entertainment is ceasing development of new heroes and maps for Overwatch's Stadium mode due to low player engagement, with only 3% of players choosing it over the standard 5v5 mode. Game director Aaron Keller stated that while the mode will continue to receive seasonal balance updates and rank resets, the development team will be reassigned to other projects. This decision comes as Blizzard prepares to test new experimental 6v6 modes, including a 'Flex Queue' and 'Dynamic Queue,' to gather data on player preferences and potentially improve queue times and team compositions.
League of Legends Classic This Month
Riot Games is releasing patch 26.15 for League of Legends on July 29th, which will mark the beginning of Season 3. This update will also introduce the previously promised League of Legends Classic mode.
'There's Real Nostalgia There' — Riot Has Unveiled League of Legends Classic, but Don't Expect a One-to-One Recreation of the Old Times
Riot Games has unveiled League of Legends Classic, a new version of its MOBA designed to evoke nostalgia for the game's early days. While it aims to capture the feel of the game from over 15 years ago, it will not be a one-to-one recreation of the original experience.
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS CLASSIC RELEASES IN PATCH 26.15
Riot Games is releasing League of Legends Classic in Patch 26.15 on July 29, 2026, bringing back the feel of the game from its Season 3 era. This new experience will feature the original Summoner's Rift map, a roster of 60 classic champions with pre-rework kits, old-school Runes and Masteries, and fan-favorite items. Executive Producer Paul Bellezza stated that League Classic aims to honor the game's roots while offering a fresh experience for both long-time and returning players.
Rob Pardo’s battle royale tower climb ARPG Arkheron kicks off a two week-long closed beta July 15
Rob Pardo's indie studio Bonfire Studios announced that their isometric PvP team-based brawler Arkheron will begin a two-week closed beta on July 15th. The beta will focus on the Spires mode, with the primary Ascension mode available on Fridays and Saturdays. Players can request access on Steam, and participants from earlier playtests will be able to join.
The 'Classic' nostalgia trend continues as League of Legends Classic gets a release date and the promise of player-voted patches
Riot Games announced that League of Legends Classic will launch on July 29th, offering a nostalgic throwback to the game's early era. The company also promised that future patches will be partially shaped by community votes, allowing for player-driven evolution of the classic experience. This move is part of a broader industry trend of leveraging nostalgia through remasters and classic versions of games.
League of Legends Classic isn't the launch experience, it's a "greatest hits" of the early years
Riot Games has detailed League of Legends Classic, describing it as a "greatest hits" collection of the game's early seasons, rather than a strict recreation of the 2009 launch. It will feature original champions, items, and gameplay design, launching on July 29 with content roughly around Season Three. Players will be able to influence its future development.
League Classic might sound fun, but as a 15-year League of Legends veteran, I'm here to tell you: You want this…
A veteran League of Legends player expresses skepticism about the upcoming 'League of Legends Classic,' arguing that while nostalgia is a draw, the modern game is superior in design, balance, and player experience. The author highlights numerous past design flaws and contrasts them with current improvements, suggesting that a return to the past would not recapture the magic players remember.
Astro Arena Is a 3vs3 Mobile MOBA from PUBG Studios, Now Out
PUBG Studios, under KRAFTON, has launched Astro Arena: 3vs3 Battle PvP, a fast-paced, anime-style mobile MOBA featuring roguelike power-ups and quick five-minute matches. The game is free-to-play on Android and has kicked off its first season, Vermilion Desert, with various in-game events and promotions.
A new Deadlock update leaves Graves and Silver gleeful, but Valve still can't get Shiv right
Valve has released a new update for the MOBA Deadlock, focusing on adjustments to objectives like the Soul Urn and Unstable Rift, as well as hero balance changes. The update aims to improve objective clarity and impact, with Graves and Silver seeing buffs while Shiv and Drifter receive nerfs. This patch continues Valve's efforts to refine the game based on community feedback.
Riot believes League of Legends 'mage bot' strats are "healthy diversity" and "need to be viable"
Riot Games has decided against planned Brand buffs for League of Legends patch 26.14 due to concerns about mage bot lane strategies, but maintains that this approach offers healthy diversity. Lead Gameplay Designer Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison explained that while frustrating for traditional marksmen, mages in the bot lane provide a necessary strategic option and prevent the game from becoming too formulaic.
Games of the Future 2026 announces Mobile Legends: Bang Bang MOBA Mobile tournament in Astana
The Games of the Future 2026 has announced that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will be featured in its MOBA Mobile tournament in Astana. Sixteen invited teams will compete for a US$900,000 prize pool from August 6-9, 2026, at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace. This marks the second consecutive year for MLBB at the event, which aims to fuse physical and digital competition.
SMITE 2’s open beta is still going as Hi-Rez patches in Chronos and lots of god stat changes
Hi-Rez Studios has released a new patch for SMITE 2's open beta, introducing the God of Time, Chronos, and implementing numerous god stat changes. The update also includes adjustments to base health, protections, minion health, and item balance, aiming to alter time-to-kill and overall survival rates.
Riot Games unveils plans for League of Legends Classic after datamining leaks spring forth
Riot Games has officially confirmed League of Legends Classic, a mode featuring older character models, skins, runes, and maps, following datamining leaks. Studio head Andrei van Roon confirmed that original character kits will return, with more details promised during the MSI Finals esports event on July 11th.
Dawn of War 2’s The Last Stand mode is still the best co-op MOBA that never was
The Last Stand mode from Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II is analyzed as a highly successful cooperative MOBA-like experience that predates many modern titles. Despite its age and limited maps, the mode's challenging gameplay and unique blend of RTS and MOBA elements continue to attract players, highlighting its innovative design.
Pokemon Unite 5th Anniversary Update - 4 New Licences
Pokemon Unite is celebrating its 5th anniversary starting July 21, 2026, with the addition of four new legendary Pokemon licenses: Yveltal on July 3, Palkia on July 17, Reshiram on August 7, and Solgaleo on August 21. The Pokemon Company and TiMi Studio Group will also host events offering in-game rewards like license art and holowear.
League of Legends Classic Revealed
Riot Games has announced a new game mode for League of Legends called League of Legends Classic. This mode aims to evoke the early days of the popular MOBA, offering a nostalgic experience for players.
Dota 2's Dark Carnival has begun, with a huge story chapter and five automaton hero personas
Valve has launched the Dota 2 Dark Carnival event, featuring a new story campaign titled 'Midnight Run' with Legion Commander and Hoodwink. The event introduces new hero personas, cosmetic items, and a progression system tied to in-game actions. The Dark Carnival is rolling out in stages, with new content becoming available over the next four weeks.
HONOR OF KINGS UNITES WITH INUYASHA TO INTRODUCE EXCLUSIVE SKINS AND NEW GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCES Brothers By Blood, Bound By Destiny
Honor of Kings, the world's most-played MOBA, is collaborating with the anime series InuYasha from June 27 to July 26. This event introduces exclusive InuYasha-themed skins, spritelings, and backgrounds, along with various in-game events like a Lucky Draw and a Top-Up event to earn rewards. Developed by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent Games, Honor of Kings is known for its free-to-play model and thriving esports scene.
After mysteriously vanishing from the game, Dota 2's Axe has been 'replaced' by a fake
Dota 2's hero Axe mysteriously disappeared from the game and was replaced by a placeholder, only to return with a new 'Axe?' designation and a mechanical, clockwork design. This change, along with new ability icons and a hammer replacing his axe, is speculated to be part of an upcoming 'Dark Carnival' in-game event, possibly related to the character Ringmaster. Valve has since fixed crashes associated with the new hero.
