Honor of Kings is expanding its ecosystem in India with a major push into both content creation and esports. Publisher Tencent, through its global brand Level Infinite has officially announced the launch of HOK Studio, alongside a new competitive pathway titled King’s Arise India: KWC at EWC26 Qualifier.
The move highlights a dual strategy, building a strong creator community while also giving Indian teams a clear route to compete on the global stage.
HOK Studio launched to support Indian creators
HOK Studio is the official creator platform for the game, aimed at developing a localized content ecosystem in India. As part of its first phase, the platform will introduce a Content Creator Incentive Program worth over ₹10 million.
The initiative will offer multiple benefits to creators, including cash rewards, in-game tokens, exclusive rewards, and official promotional support. Selected creators may also receive early access to updates and participate in special campaigns.
The platform is open to a wide range of creators—from beginners to established names—covering formats like short videos, livestreams, tutorials, esports coverage, and entertainment content. The goal is to build a diverse and sustainable content ecosystem around the game in India.
Dean Huang, Producer of Honor of Kings, said India is a key market and the company aims to build a strong localized ecosystem that goes beyond gameplay. He added that HOK Studio and the esports pathway reflect a long-term commitment to both creators and competitive players in the region.
King’s Arise India Qualifier announced
Alongside the creator push, the game has also revealed its esports roadmap with the King’s Arise India: KWC at EWC26 Qualifier. The tournament will give Indian teams a chance to qualify for the global stage, where they can compete for a massive US$3 million prize pool.
Key details:
- Registration: April 19–26, 2026
- Open Qualifiers: April 30 – May 3
- Online Playoffs: May 8–10
- Offline Finals: May 17
- Prize Pool: ₹5,00,000
Five teams from open qualifiers will join invited teams like S8UL Esports, RNTX, and Aeternity Esports. A total of two teams will qualify to represent India at the global KWC event at EWC26.
The tournament will follow global standards, including formats like Global Ban & Pick and a Bo7 Grand Final with Ultimate Battle, ensuring high-level competitive gameplay.
With the launch of HOK Studio and the KWC qualifier pathway, Honor of Kings is positioning India as an important region in its global ecosystem. The company is not only targeting players but also creators, aiming to build a complete gaming ecosystem where content and competition grow together.
