Revision 7

Overview

Honor of Kings: World has undergone multiple closed beta test (CBT) phases since its announcement in October 2021. These tests provided TiMi Studio Group with player feedback and technical data while giving select players early access to the game's content. The game was first announced by Tencent Games and TiMi Studio Group in October/November 2021, with a collaboration with science-fiction writer Liu Cixin (author of The Three-Body Problem) announced at the same time.

Beta Timeline

CBT 1: Beijing In-Person Test (October 2024)

The first closed beta was held in person in Beijing on October 26-27, 2024. This was not a traditional online beta. Players physically attended a testing venue to play the game. The test focused on core combat mechanics and initial content, providing the development team with direct observation of player behavior and real-time feedback.

GDC 2025 Press Test (March 2025)

At GDC 2025, Lead Designer Simen Lv led a behind-closed-doors presentation and hands-on session for international press. This was a significant milestone as it marked the first time Western media could play the game and interview the development team in English. Key reveals included details about the Flow system, dual-class switching, and the commitment to launching one new region annually.

Gamescom 2025 (August 2025)

The Gamescom 2025 showcase marked the first time the public could play Honor of Kings: World. A 4-player co-op boss demo was available in Hall 9, and the game premiered its latest trailer during Opening Night Live. The event generated significant international attention and media coverage.

CBT 2: PC-Only Test (July 2025)

A larger-scale PC-only beta test launched in July 2025. Recruitment ran from June 25 to July 14, 2025, and servers went live on July 24, 2025. The test was confidential, non-commercial, and featured a data wipe at conclusion. This was the first beta to test the game at scale with remote players and provided the hardware requirement benchmarks (RTX 2060+ minimum, 16 GB RAM, 50 GB SSD) listed in the system requirements.

CBT 3: Cross-Platform Test (February 2026)

A new closed beta launched in February 2026, with recruitment running from February 10 to 23, 2026. This was the most significant test to date as it was the first to support cross-platform play across PC, Android, iOS, and cloud gaming. The multi-platform nature of this test validated the game's cross-play infrastructure ahead of the April 2026 launch.

Zhengming Test

A final test phase called the "Zhengming Test" was announced as the last testing period before the game's public launch. "Zhengming" roughly translates to "proof" or "verification" in Chinese, suggesting this test serves as the final validation phase. Specific dates and sign-up details for the Zhengming Test have not been publicly confirmed as of March 2026, but it is expected to take place shortly before the April 4 launch.

Key Takeaways from Beta Tests

• Combat balance and the Posture Break System were iterated on across every test phase

• Cross-platform performance testing in CBT 3 confirmed stable gameplay across PC and mobile

• Hardware requirements established during CBT 2 (RTX 2060+, 16 GB RAM, 50 GB SSD) remained consistent

• Player feedback from each beta directly influenced development priorities for the launch version

• The progression from in-person (CBT 1) to remote (CBT 2) to cross-platform (CBT 3) reflects increasing confidence in the game's stability