GP: I’m Justin with GamePress, and we want to talk a bit about Arena of Valor, an upcoming MOBA for mobile devices. Is this app going to be difficult to run? Is it graphically intensive?

Tencent: Phones are so powerful now, even phones from the last generations will be able to play Arena of Valor. That’s one of the great things about it; it makes the game accessible to a wide audience.

GP: Mobile MOBA is something we have seen before in North America, but this one seems a bit different. Instead of tapping on your screens, you use analog controls. What motivated this control scheme?

Tencent: What makes this game special is this is not simply “MOBA on mobile.” We didn’t just copy the MOBA experience on PC, click to move or attack enemies or minions, because we don’t think that’s the best way to play MOBA on mobile.

With our control system, you can use one hand to choose the regular, directional movement of your character, and your other hand to attack. It’s not the typical way to play a MOBA, but we believe it is the best way to play MOBA on mobile.

GP: I can see the reason behind it. I’ve played mobile MOBAs where you tap, and when I do, I lose sight of what’s on the screen. It never occurred to me you could play it this way. Are there any changes you’ve made to the map or store layout of a typical MOBA?

Tencent: On the PC, MOBA has so many elements, too many things to fit into a small screen. We did a lot to address that. Besides the control system, we also make it so you can minimize the map. Have you played the game?

GP: I’ve seen gameplay, but I haven’t had a chance to played it yet.

Tencent: It’s easier if I show you.