Revision 1

Overview

Honor of Kings: World underwent multiple closed beta test (CBT) phases prior to its global launch. These tests provided TiMi Studios with player feedback and technical data while giving select players early access to the game's content.

Beta timeline

• CBT 1 (China only): initial internal test with limited content, focused on core combat and performance benchmarks

• CBT 2 (China expanded): broader test including open world exploration, the first dungeon tier, and basic multiplayer

• CBT 3 (Global): first international test, included English localization, cross-platform testing (PC + mobile), and endgame content preview

• Open Beta: pre-launch stress test with near-final content and no NDA

Requirements

Access to closed beta phases was granted through a combination of registration and selection. Players registered through the official website and were chosen based on hardware specifications, region, and previous Honor of Kings activity. Beta keys were also distributed through partnered content creators and press outlets.

NDA and content restrictions

Early CBT phases were under strict NDA. Players were prohibited from sharing screenshots, video, or detailed descriptions of game content. The NDA was progressively relaxed with each subsequent phase, and the open beta had no content restrictions.

Community feedback impact

TiMi Studios publicly acknowledged several changes made in response to beta feedback. These included adjustments to the difficulty curve of early dungeons, improvements to the camera system during boss encounters, and refinements to the Flow style switching animation to make transitions feel smoother. The gear enhancement system was also simplified after beta testers reported that the original version was overly complex.