Revision 9

Overview

Honor of Kings: World officially launched on April 10, 2026 in mainland China on PC (Windows), iOS, and Android. Developed by TiMi Studio Group and published globally by Level Infinite (Tencent), the game arrived as a free-to-play open-world action RPG with full cross-platform play enabled from day one. The China launch marks the beginning of a phased global rollout, with international release dates still to be announced.

Launch Details

Release Announcement

The release date was first revealed on October 27, 2025 during a Bilibili livestream celebrating Honor of Kings' 10th anniversary. TiMi Studio Group confirmed the Spring 2026 window during the stream, and the April 10, 2026 date was finalized in a follow-up announcement shortly after. The reveal generated significant attention in the Chinese gaming community, as the game had been in development for roughly four years by that point.

Pre-Download and Installation

Pre-download became available several days before the official launch, allowing players to install the game ahead of time and be ready on day one. The mobile version required between 25 and 28 GB of storage depending on the device, while the PC version needed approximately 90 GB of disk space. The substantial install sizes reflected the game's use of Unreal Engine 5 with high-resolution assets, including Nanite geometry and Lumen global illumination data.

Platform Availability

On PC, Honor of Kings: World is available through both Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as a standalone launcher. The iOS version launched on the Apple App Store, where it had been featured in Apple showcase events prior to release. The Android version is available through official Chinese app stores. All three platforms share the same servers and content, with cross-platform play and shared progression enabled from the start.

Free-to-Play Model

Honor of Kings: World follows a free-to-play model with no initial purchase required. The monetization structure centers on a gacha system for weapons and cosmetic purchases, with all PvE content accessible without spending money. Lead Designer Simen Lv stated during GDC 2025 that the team designed the game to avoid pay-to-win mechanics.

Development Timeline

The journey from announcement to launch spanned roughly five years of active development. The project was first revealed in October 2021 as an ambitious open-world adaptation of the Honor of Kings universe. Over the following years, TiMi Studio Group conducted multiple closed beta tests in China, gathered feedback from press events at GDC 2025 and Gamescom 2025, and gradually refined the game's combat, open world, and multiplayer systems.

• October 2021: initial announcement and first reveal trailer

• 2022-2024: multiple closed beta test phases in China

• March 2025: GDC 2025 behind-closed-doors showcase and press hands-on

• July 2025: PC-exclusive offline test with recruitment via WeChat/QQ

• August 2025: Gamescom 2025 public demo and Opening Night Live trailer

• October 27, 2025: release date announced via Bilibili 10th anniversary stream

• April 10, 2026: official launch in mainland China

Global Release Outlook

As of launch, global release dates for regions outside mainland China have not been confirmed. Level Infinite, Tencent's international publishing arm, is handling the global rollout. The game already has English localization from its international beta test phases and press events. Store page listings on platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store have been reported but not officially confirmed, suggesting that a Western PC release may be part of the near-term plan. The development team has indicated that the global launch will follow the China release, though specific dates remain to be announced.