Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor
Developer(s) Timi Studio Group
Publisher(s) Tencent Games
Composer(s) Jeff Broadbent, Matthew Carl Earl, Zhao Hongfei
Platform(s) Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch
Release Android, iOS
  • TW: October 14, 2016
  • VIE: November 21, 2016
  • THA: December 26, 2016
  • LAO: April 24, 2017
  • EU: August 10, 2017
  • NA: December 19, 2017
  • IND: March 1, 2018
Nintendo Switch
September 25, 2018
Genre(s) Multiplayer online battle arena
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Arena of Valor (Chinese: 傳說對決; pinyin: Chuánshuō Duìjué), formerly Realm of Valor then Strike of Kings, is an international adaptation of Wangzhe Rongyao (Chinese: 王者荣耀, variably known in English unofficial translations as King of Glory, Kings of Glory, Honor of King, or Honour of King), a multiplayer online battle arena developed and published by Tencent Games for the iOS, Android and Nintendo Switch, for markets outside mainland China.

Development and release

Arena of Valor (formerly Strike of Kings) is an international adaptation of Wangzhe Rongyao for markets outside mainland China. In 2015, Tencent approached Riot Games and asked them to turn their popular game League of Legends into a mobile title. However, Riot declined and claimed that League of Legends gameplay could not be replicated on smartphones. Tencent then proceeded to create their own mobile game, Wangzhe Rongyao, roughly translated to English as Honor of Kings.[1] Arena of Valor is developed by Timi Studio Group and published by Tencent Games with the same engine and design as Wangzhe Rongyao, but the in-game characters have been swapped from characters inspired by Chinese folklore and mythology, to characters inspired by European folklore and taken from the DC Universe. The soundtrack for international version of the game is composed by American music artist Matthew Carl Earl, proving a different atmosphere compare to the original score with Chinese music instruments.

Arena of Valor was first launched in Taiwan in October 14, 2016, following a two-week closed beta testing period.[2] In October 2017, Arena of Valor was launched in the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia where majority of the gaming community are playing mobile games. Garena decided to combined these three countries in one server. The game was released in some European app stores in August 2017,[3] and was released in North and South American mobile app stores on December 19, 2017.[4]

The game was announced to be released for the Nintendo Switch console during the September 2017 Nintendo Direct presentation.[5] A closed beta became available for the platform between June and July 2018, and participants received an exclusive in-game skin for one of the characters.[6] The game is confirmed to launch on the platform in September 25, 2018.[7]

Speaking to Engadget, Tencent Games revealed the Nintendo Switch port of the game is enhanced and optimized for the platform, taking advantage of the console's processing power and hardware features to implement various changes to the game, such as improved graphics and animations, better lighting, smoother lines, and additional minute details like butterflies. Additionally, several adjustments were made to the game to be playable on a bigger screen with traditional controls, and characters' stats have been reconfigured. Because of these changes, cross-play between the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of the game is not possible. Tencent Games also have plans for competitive events based on the Nintendo Switch version.[8]

Accolades

Arena of Valor won the award for "Best Music in a Casual/Social Game" at the 15th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Best Original Instrumental".[9] It was also nominated for "Original Score - Video Game" at the 2017 Hollywood Music in Media Awards,[10] for "Original Dramatic Score, New IP" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards,[11][12] and for "Best Competitive Game" at the 2018 Golden Joystick Awards.[13]

International competition

Asian Games 2018

Arena of Valor are part of electronic sports demonstration event in Asian Games 2018 held in Indonesia. Eight countries are able to participate after qualified from their respective regional qualification with Indonesia automatically qualifies as host. Unlike other electronic sports event, there is no qualification for Central and West Asia.[14]

Year Gold Silver Bronze
2018  China  Chinese Taipei  Vietnam

References

    1. ↑ Mickunas, Aaron. "Riot's relationship with Tencent has reportedly been strained over declining profits and mobile games". dotesports. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
    2. ↑ 4Gamers. "Garena《傳說對決》揭開神秘面紗，封測預登活動即日開跑". 4Gamers 官方網站 (in Chinese). Retrieved January 5, 2018.
    3. ↑ Joseph (July 25, 2017). "A Big Update is Coming: A Letter From the Producer - Game Updates - Arena of Valor Forum". Arena of Valor Forum. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
    4. ↑ Webster, Andrew (December 18, 2017). "Tencent is bringing China's biggest game to the rest of the world". The Verge. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
    5. ↑ McFerran, Damien (September 14, 2017). "Free-To-Play MOBA Arena Of Valor Is Fighting Towards Switch". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
    6. ↑ Doolan, Liam (June 23, 2018). "Arena Of Valor Closed Beta Starts On 28th June, Participants Receive Exclusive In-Game Skin". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
    7. ↑ Doolan, Liam (August 21, 2018). "Free-To-Play MOBA Arena Of Valor Launches On Switch This September". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
    8. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (August 23, 2018). "'Arena of Valor' is a completely different game on Switch". Engadget. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
    9. ↑ "2017 Awards". Game Audio Network Guild. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
    10. ↑ "Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Full Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. November 17, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
    11. ↑ "Nominee List for 2017". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
    12. ↑ "Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
    13. ↑ Hoggins, Tom (September 24, 2018). "Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
    14. ↑ "AESF Game Result" (PDF). Asian Electronic Sports Federation. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
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