Blizzard reveals HearthStone at PAX
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
World of Warcraft maker officially announces free-to-play collectible card game for PC, Mac, and iPad; beta begins this summer, with full product out by end of 2013.
BOSTON--Today during a presentation titled "Blizzard Presents" at PAX East, World of Warcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment announced HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft, a free-to-play collectible card game for the PC, Mac, and iPad.
Gamers can sign up to beta-test the title today. The beta will launch this summer, while the full game is due out sometime in 2013.
Explaining the game, a Blizzard representative said, "We wanted to do something a little different." The game, described as "really small," was built by a team of 15 developers at the Irvine, California, developer.
HearthStone is focused on one-vs.one matches and uses Battle.net for matchmaking. Players can duel online to boost their medal ranking.
Three hundred total cards, based on the World of Warcraft classes, will be available at launch. Extra packs will be available for purchase, for around $1, Blizzard said.
It appears HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft is far along in development, as Blizzard showed a complete game demo for the game during the presentation today.
This is a breaking news story. Check back later for more information as it becomes available.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
128 comments
When it comes to games I'm interested in, free-2-play and card games are at the bottom of the barrel.
free to play ?? can't believe this announcement is from the creator of RMAH...who lied to PC gamers alot and alot on diablo 3.
Ive always thought they needed to make a WOW TCG videogame, it was only a matter of time. I will play for sure.
It is not free to play if you have to buy card packs for $1 to really get into the game. Geezus Blizzard !
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So it like there trading card game, only now on devices.. This will sell but whats up with no Android Love?
3 Like 5 years ago I remember saying "Blizzard won't release something if its not amazing. They'll kill a game before they'll ever let something hurt their name."
Then came Activision.
RIP Blizzard
1 Like This, Does not seem real. I didn't expect this and still do not think this is real, ill wait till more information is provided on this with more news, then ill post a comment on that as well, prob something along the lines "Wait, this is real? Seriously?"
1 Like This really needed to be an online platform for the existing World of Warcraft TCG - which is an established game with a devoted fanbase and is far, far superior to this watered-down clone.
And now, Hearthstone almost certainly means we'll never have WoW TCG online, because 2 different WoW card games on Battlenet wouldn't make any sense. Its insulting to TCG players who have been buying cards for around 7 years now, many of whom have been waiting for online platform to support the game.
The fact that Hearthstone cards use much of the artwork already seen in the WoW TCG just adds to the insult. I'm deeply disappointed.
i lost one of my chickens.
the chicken is mostly white with a bit of orange around the neck, frequently holds its own head and enjoys hanging around helmets and armour.
it is an emergency as the chicken is sick and has been losing feathers, thank you.
1 Like well I'm not gonna lie. when I heard that Blizzard will be finally announcing their next game that's UNRELATED to their other franchises, I feel like Blizzard just lied to us.
Many people love TCGs, i think this is the first one with a nice interface and effects
@CharmanderGod true and true, but it's not even Blizzard's TCG. it's a clone of it that's simplified. I think this is a punch to WoW's TCG fans balls everywhere. Activision has been ruining Blizzard since they bought them.
I think this game will expand there audience and the type of people play games . these type of games are best suited for busy people . who like to spend a short time playing a match or two . the best part its Free to play so there is no big deal to try it any way ! its more like the Yu-gi-oh card games but in a Warcraft theme . I still need to try it before judging but i think its a good move to include a game in the free to play zone . i personally adore blizzard art and quality in there products
The thing I gathered from the live preview while watching it could be summed up like this:
LOOK AT DA SHINY ISNT IT SO SHINY COME BUY OUR SHINY
Of all blizzards dumb ideas this one probably tops the list, especially insulting magic the gathering by saying "No one else is doing this sort of thing right now" -lol-.
I like blizzard for HOTS, but this, this is one of those ideas where you have to say "So who do we fire next for stupid ideas?"
Dumb ideas like the extremely successful Diablo, Warcraft and Starcraft? Are you sure you just don't hate Blizzard?
Odd choice to go PC/Mac first. They are late to the iPad game, so one would think that getting into that space would be a priority.
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@ericlr @Naswari People like you really need to shut up. I say this as a neutral party that doesn't hate or like this. It just pisses me off when wads like you come splurging your fanboyism all over the internet. "You don't like this obvious cash grab? Screw you! Blizzard is perfection! You are a cry baby!" Hearthstone isn't the most selfish thing I've seen, but it damn well isn't something with integrity in mind, and you need to accept that your opinion isn't fact.
@ShinobiMedic You give them way too much credit. Diablo 3 was bad, like really bad. It was the single most disappointing game I have ever played, and it was shamelessly focused around its wretched real money auction house. Bad story, bad gameplay and bad visual style, what is there to defend? I like Starcraft 2, thus I don't hate Blizzard, but come on. It doesn't even bother me when they ask $20 for WOW mounts, but don't you dare call it something they do for their customers. It is a cash grab, and denying it is just that, denial.
1 Like Actually Blizzard ain't really known for doing marketing the way EA does it, furthermore Blizzard is actually extremely customer friendly, in addition to making some amazing games. I strongly doubt that this is a "money milker" especially seeing as it is free to play -and- it is actually made by Blizzard.
I like the Warcraft universe and I like TCG, so I am definitely gonna play this game. Especially seeing as I will not be "punished" for not purchasing boosters, thumbs up!
@ericlr @teh_pwnager @Naswari I'm just not selfish. Just because I do not spend money on the product does not mean that everyone who spends it really likes it, like you. You like their products, it is obviously, but some people fall for the hype only or because a friend says it is cool. Maybe if they try another product, they would support that company more, and maybe it really is a good company as an example. It is sometimes about perspective. And what's with the kid insults? Sounds like you really hated your childhood...
1 Like @teh_pwnager @ericlr @Naswari ok guy go play games that are not fun to not be a 'drone'. I'll be chilling with blizzard
@ericlr @teh_pwnager @Naswari Aw did you went buthurt fanboy? Poor little drone. Get over it stupid kid. People have opinions and that guy's along with mine and maybe more people is that we think it is a new milking cow. Get back in your basement now.
Free to play from a company associated with Activision? Okay, where are the micro transactions?
1 Like @Deadman_est1982 They already mentioned them at the bottom of the article. $1 for more packs of cards.
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