Heroes of Newerth Open Beta

Join the Heroes of Newerth Open Beta starting March 31. Learn how to register, download the client, and keep your rewards.

Heroes of Newerth Open Beta: Access and Transition Guide

For those of us who have been following the development of Heroes of Newerth, the transition to Open Beta is a significant milestone. Having participated in the closed testing phases, I can confirm that the shift to an Open Beta format is a major opportunity to experience the game without the need for a beta key. Starting Wednesday, March 31, at 4:00 PM PST (-8 GST), registration will open to the public. Please note that this is the final window to secure pre-purchase incentives—including the Golden Shield, Golden Name, and the iconic "SMACKDOWN!" taunt—before they are retired for new accounts.

Getting Started with the HoN Beta
To ensure a smooth installation process, follow these verified steps:
1. Create your account directly at https://www.heroesofnewerth.com/.
2. Download the appropriate client for your operating system. From my experience with the client, ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU to avoid rendering issues during matches.
Heroes of Newerth Client for Windows
Heroes of Newerth Client for Linux
Heroes of Newerth Client for Mac




Below is the official guidance regarding the Open Beta transition and account management policies:

Heroes of Newerth is currently in a OPEN testing phase. To participate in the beta test, you must start by creating an account. If you already have a beta account, and need to download the beta client, log into the beta site.

If you do not have an account yet, and would like to participate in the Heroes of Newerth beta, use the form to the right to create your account now.

Frequently Asked Questions
1.) If I pre purchased prior to Open Beta will I still be able to taunt in game and have the golden shield and golden name?

Yes, those account options will remain with your account (and all subsequently purchased sub accounts) for their lifetime.

2.) What exactly are these incentives you are giving to pre purchase before the beginning of Open Beta?

Your nickname will show up as a golden color in chat & game lobbies. You will also have a special golden shield next to your name. Finally, during a match, you may taunt a player (your hero says a funny statement to the enemy) and if you kill them within a short time period of taunting them a global sound and arcade text "SMACKDOWN" is announced game wide.

3.) I want to pre purchase but the nickname I want is not available. Can I ever change my name?

Yes, all pre purchased accounts will have 1 nickname change (all existing pre purchases will also be given 1 additional nickname change). 7 days prior to the end of Open Beta and the game going retail (requiring payment to play) we will allow all pre purchased accounts to take the nickname of non pre purchased accounts. In order to successfully secure your name we suggest you pre purchase now!

4.) Will stats reset for Open Beta? Will there be a stats reset prior to the game going retail?

We will not be resetting stats during Open Beta but when we end Open Beta and go to retail all stats will be deleted from the game.

5.) Will I be able to rest my stats after retail launch of the game?

Yes, we have a reset stats option available on the website and in the game client. This stats reset will cost $20. It is priced to be a deterrent from people intentionally griefing and then just paying to reset their "sins". We priced it $10 short of a new account so that someone can keep their current name but start with a fresh slate.

6.) If I don't pre purchase the game prior to launch, what happens to my account?

When Open Beta ends all accounts that did not pre purchase will be purged from the database, this includes your banlist and your friends lists. All pre purchased accounts will keep those lists intact when we go retail.

7.) Do you feel that your system will be able to support the potential demand of the HoN Open Beta?

In an effort to control concurrent players during Open Beta due to the tremendous excitement and demand for Heroes of Newerth, we *may* have to throttle new sign ups. In the event that this action is required, when we hit our daily limit, players will have the option to pre purchase the game to have guaranteed access to the Open Beta.

8.) Will new heroes be added to the game during Open Beta?

Yes, we have many new heroes (and other content) to add to the game. In fact, look forward to seeing a new hero shortly after the start of Open Beta and a consistent flow of new content thereafter.

We hope you are as excited about this next step in HoN development as we are and I look forward to seeing you all online.