Honor of Kings: China's Number 1 Mobile Game with 200 Million+ Daily Players
Honor of Kings (王者荣耀, Wangzhe Rongyao) is a mobile MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game developed by TiMi Studio Group (a Tencent subsidiary) and released in 2015. It is the most popular and highest-grossing mobile game in Chinese history, with over 200 million daily active users at its peak. The game features 5v5 team battles with over 100 unique heroes inspired by Chinese mythology and history. Despite being primarily available in China, Honor of Kings has generated over $15 billion in cumulative revenue. A global version, Arena of Valor, has been released for international markets.
TL;DR
Honor of Kings has 200M+ DAU, earned $15B+ since 2015, developed by Tencent, features 100+ heroes, and dominates Chinese mobile gaming as the highest-grossing mobile game ever.
Key Insights
Daily Active Users
Honor of Kings reached over 200 million daily active users in 2024, making it the most-played mobile game in the world by daily users. The game has over 600 million registered players in China. Average session time is 15-25 minutes per match.
Cumulative Revenue
Honor of Kings is the highest-grossing mobile game in history, generating over $15 billion since its 2015 launch. Annual revenue consistently exceeds $2 billion, with the game regularly topping $100 million in monthly player spending. China accounts for over 90% of total revenue.
Playable Heroes
The game features over 100 playable heroes across 6 roles (Warrior, Mage, Assassin, Tank, Marksman, Support). Heroes are inspired by Chinese historical figures (Guan Yu, Mulan, Zhuge Liang) and mythology. New heroes are added quarterly through seasonal updates.
Esports Ecosystem
The Honor of Kings Pro League (KPL) is China's most-watched esports league with peak viewership exceeding 100 million concurrent viewers. The annual World Champion Cup offers $7M+ in prize money. Tencent has invested over $100 million annually in the esports ecosystem.
Match Duration
Honor of Kings matches are designed for mobile sessions, lasting 15-25 minutes compared to 30-45 minutes for PC MOBAs like League of Legends. The faster pace and simplified controls (virtual joystick + ability buttons) make it accessible to casual players while maintaining competitive depth.
Global Version
Arena of Valor is the international version of Honor of Kings, available in over 150 countries. It features localized heroes including Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman (DC Comics collaboration) alongside original characters. Arena of Valor has generated over $1 billion in international revenue.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Honor of Kings | League of Legends: Wild Rift | Mobile Legends: Bang Bang | Pokemon Unite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Tencent (TiMi) | Riot Games (Tencent) | Moonton | Tencent + Pokemon Co. |
| DAU | 200M+ | 50M+ | 80M+ | 30M+ |
| Revenue (2024) | $2.5B+ | $800M+ | $1.2B+ | $500M+ |
| Heroes/Characters | 100+ | 90+ | 120+ | 50+ |
| Match Duration | 15-25 min | 15-20 min | 15-25 min | 10-15 min |
| Esports Prize Pool | $7M+ (annual cup) | $2M+ (WC) | $1M+ (MSC) | $2M+ (WC) |
| Platforms | iOS/Android | iOS/Android/Console | iOS/Android | Mobile/Switch |
| Primary Market | China | Global | Southeast Asia | Global |
Frequently Asked Questions
Honor of Kings has over 200 million daily active users, making it the most-played mobile game in the world by daily users. The game has over 600 million registered accounts. During major events and holidays, concurrent online players can exceed 100 million.
Arena of Valor is the global version of Honor of Kings, but they are different games with different hero rosters and balance. Honor of Kings is available primarily in Chinese markets, while Arena of Valor serves international audiences with localized heroes (including DC Comics characters). The core MOBA gameplay is similar but metas differ significantly.
Honor of Kings has generated over $15 billion in cumulative revenue since its 2015 launch, making it the highest-grossing mobile game of all time. Annual revenue consistently exceeds $2 billion, with China accounting for over 90% of total player spending.
Honor of Kings is primarily available in China, but the international version called Arena of Valor is available in 150+ countries. Tencent has been testing a global version of Honor of Kings in select markets since 2024, with plans for wider international release. Arena of Valor remains the main option for non-Chinese players.
Honor of Kings is developed by TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent Games. TiMi also developed Pokemon Unite, Call of Duty: Mobile, and the upcoming Delta Force mobile. Tencent is the world's largest gaming company by revenue, and Honor of Kings is its most profitable single title.