Jinx Launches Brand-New Hearthstone T-Shirt
Behold the new Jinx Hearthstone T-Shirt! As announced recently, Jinx is running a few juicy discount promos.
- Free Shipping on orders over $75
- 10% Off orders over $75
- 20% off $150+
A Mildly Triumphant Return
I took a break from Hearthstone after BlizzCon. The announcements were announced, a bit of the next patch was discussed, but I mostly came away with an anticipatory feeling. My curiosity about the game’s future was stoked, my enthusiasm for its current form was still waning. So, a break. It ended up being much longer than I intended – the flu will do that – but after sometime languishing in bed and stuffing myself full of dense Thanksgiving goodies, I returned to the kinetic world of Hearthstone anew.
With no patch during my leave, little has changed mechanically about the game. There have been a few fun streams to watch, some good discussions to be had, but Hearthstone is Hearthstone. That makes sense – the game is still in beta, it’s still a growing community, and it has only one card set.
That’s the main thing to follow: one card set. The mechanics of Hearthstone aren’t as complex as, say, Dota 2. Valve kept that game in beta for years because each hero is so intricate and tweaking each hero’s abilities gives new metagame potential, team fight strategies, and lane tactics. Adding new heroes is akin to reshuffling the entire game.
Hearthstone is reaching a stable point. A basic metagame has formed for both Arena and Play and there are specific cards everyone uses, almost regardless of deck style. This isn’t a bad thing. Quite the contrary, it’s a good thing. The more stable the game becomes, the closer it will be to an official release. The Hearthstone team has some idea of what they want Hearthstone to look like when it launches and, given all the data they collect, they must have a good idea how to get there.
So my return to Hearthstone wasn’t a resigned one. Not much has changed, sure, but it’s a solid game I still enjoy. It’s a bit steadier, a bit more predictable (aside from those infuriating top decks), and rewarding skilled play with more regularity. Decks are easier to design and anticipate. My first arena run back in the saddle went 7-3 and I was feverish and exhausted with the flu. Maybe I’m getting better, or maybe the game is reaching a point I understand more. Is there a difference?
As it stabilizes, expect the designers to throw curve balls to keep the game fresh. The first is a patch followed by the open beta. A retooling of a few cards and a swarm of new players will boost activity in the game. After that, I imagine the first card expansion will be along shortly. I hope the card expansions come a little quicker than the other Blizzard IP expansions – 2 years is a long time to wait.
Forbes Proclaims Hearthstone the # 1 Best Digital Card Game of 2013
Forbes has positioned Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft as the # 1 Best Digital Card Game Of 2013 toppling other card games in the same DCG genre including Magic: The Gathering Online (which reached # 2).
Blizzard’s arrival in the digital card game space? Nuclear launch detected.
Met with a rather lukewarm reception at the PAX East 2013 reveal “What? They’re making a free-to-play card game?” Hearthstone appeared to be a reasonable casual title for World of Warcraft fans and players looking to learn a simplified CCG. What it’s actually shown itself to be is an engaging CCG on multiple levels, one that will likely have considerable impact on the DCG genre. — read more
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone Press Q&A
This Hearthstone Q&A took place at BlizzCon 2013 in a private room where press and fansite members could ask questions to Ben Brode and Jason Chayes.
Visit our BlizzCon 2013 coverage page for more.
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone Press Q&A
This Hearthstone Q&A took place at BlizzCon 2013 in a private room where press and fansite members could ask questions to Ben Brode and Jason Chayes.
Visit our BlizzCon 2013 coverage page for more.
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone – Fireside Duel – Priest vs Hunter
Ben Brode narrates a Hearthstone match between a Priest and a Hunter in this Fireside Duel. Both contenders clashed in a spectacular way that definitely makes you wonder second by second who is going to win this match. It is hard to predict until the very end.
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone – Screenshots and Concept Art
The press kit shows a few gameplay screenshots of different classes in Hearthstone, and some key artwork used for promo / announcements without the logo.
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone – FAQ
THE BASICS
What is Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft?
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a free-to-play digital collectible strategy card game that anyone can enjoy. Players choose one of nine epic Warcraft
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft – Fact Sheet
Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a free-to-play strategy card game for Windows, Macintosh, and iPad. Designed to be deceptively simple and epically engaging for players of all backgrounds, Hearthstone features quick and lively duels that evoke the spirit of a friendly match played beside a crackling tavern fire.
Each player’s card deck centers around a hero representing one of nine iconic Warcraft classes, customized with a set of minions, spells, and/or weapons based on individual strategy and available cards. Players will be able to hone their skills in practice matches against the computer, and when they’re ready for the …read more
BlizzCon 2013 – Hearthstone – Fireside Duel – Priest vs Hunter
Ben Brode narrates a Hearthstone match between a Priest and a Hunter in this Fireside Duel. Both contenders clashed in a spectacular way that definitely makes you wonder second by second who is going to win this match. It is hard to predict until the very end.