Honor of Kings: Are the developers turning a blind eye and reducing penalties to suppress the exodus of players?

Ten years later, the game Honor of Kings has remained a top contender, setting a good example of keeping up with the times and not being eliminated by them. As time goes by, the player base may change, but occasionally the game will play on nostalgia by launching collaborations with Japanese anime and movies to try to lure old players back. Disney's Frozen and Detective Conan, for example, have indeed generated a great response and achieved amazing sales.

Skin rain might deter veteran players.

In 2026, as we entered the new S42 season, we witnessed a major overhaul of the system. The matchmaking algorithm became transparent, season missions were integrated into the battle pass, season skins were upgradable, and new members were frequently added to the fragment shop. All of these were adjustments that veteran players had been dreaming of, with the sole aim of providing a better gaming experience. However, the original planners were busy selling skins, releasing a new series every week. Every time we logged into the game, the first message on the screen was all about skin discounts and promotional pages for new skins.

After closing the game and returning to ranked matches, the winning streak was followed by a losing streak, which was infuriating. So I deleted the game. Besides, it's time to get over a game I've been playing for years. I sacrificed entertainment and focused my attention on other aspects of real life, such as travel, fitness, socializing, and career. Hobbies can help expand your social circle. Honor of Kings allows you to meet netizens online, and you can even use dating apps to date compatible teammates. But how many successful examples are there?

Modern social patterns have changed; people are less inclined to meet others online.

As people grow up, their criteria for choosing a partner change. Is it better to find a future partner in a game, engage in flirtatious online relationships, or to meet a disciplined regular at the gym while exercising, have comfortable conversations, and socialize over meals or coffee after work? Which would you choose? It might sound irrelevant, but today's topic is about veteran gamers. Game rules change, and social preferences shift. Compared to intangible virtual characters and the pressure of finding a partner, isn't it better to have an unexpected and beautiful romantic encounter in everyday life?

What does the fact that veteran players can't find a reason to continue playing have to do with Honor of Kings? With player attrition, the operations department has to take action to suppress the exodus. So, where do they start? Apparently, it's the severity of the penalties.

Image source: Internet