Hi-Rez MOBA Smite heading to China under new name

Hi-Rez Studios' free-to-play MOBA Smite begins its first beta in China this October under the name Shen Zhi Hao Jie, which translates to Calamity of the Gods, Interactive Entertainment deputy general manager Mars Hou announced during this week's Gamescom in Germany.

The game will later be made available in other Asian regions in the future, Interactive Entertainment, although a release window has yet to be announced.

The studio announced its new partnership with publisher Tencent earlier in the week, revealing a new mode called Atlanta, along with additional in-game gods and features.

"We have discovered from our marketing research on Chinese players that MOBA users prefer action elements, new gods, better graphics and various modes," said Hou.

Smite is currently in open beta in North America and Europe, with over 2 million players registered since June 12, 2013.