Hearthpwn

After reading the OP's post & the linked video (I admit I didn't until now), I have to say that this is a problem.

Why are we now suddenly not getting all of the 'bonus' stuff from paying what used to be the normal price for preorders? Why are we now being presurred into 'upgrading' our preorders to get everything for a higher price?

Doesn't anyone else find this concerning business practice?

The OP is hit a good point right on its head. The more you purchase expensive bundles for cosmetic skins, the more likely you are going to see skins behind paywalls that aren't $10 a piece, and you are less likely to get skins for free because you keep creating a demand for skins locked behind large paywalls.

Do you want more skins for free and/or $10 or do you want more that are part of an upgrade package for $50-$80 bucks?

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre >>

Quote from Wingdude22>>

The initial creator of this thread doesn’t even like the skin , he thinks this MechaJaraxxus is super ugly.  

That is the complete opposite of what I said. I was quoting other users. My complaints were about how content we used to get for free (the hero portraits) are being paywalled to a limited time $80 preorder.

He just complained that HS is too expensive, and because the bundle costs 20% of some people’s monthly income therefore it should also cost x amount less ( wich it does kinda in some countries) . Even if Blizzard pays their employees the US standards. 

Not once in my OP did I mention the foreign exchange rates. My complaints were because the Mega Bundle adds fuckall and they wanna charge $80 for it.

(Although, the foreign players do bring up a good point. The exchange rates for the Mega Bundle in countries like Poland and Russia are not pretty.)

Its like someone allowed you to visit a super nice Park for free, you can walk or hire a bike to get there faster( wich allows you to spend more time, and explore more stuff) OP claims to never use a bike , loving to walk , but is very upset about the hiring cost of that Bike. So upset he makes a thread to convince others that it’s too expensive (in his eyes) to lower the hiring cost of that Bike that makes new attractions, and free entry to the Park possible. 

 Firstly, shit analogy. Secondly the original topic of the thread was on how the Mega Bundle was paywalling a hero portrait, when we get those for free, and also because the Mega Bundle is just a slightly bigger preorder bundle. As a sidenote, I also pointed out my long standing belief that preordering video games (let alone preordering loot boxes) is absurd and honestly anticonsumer.

But hey, it’s okay that you didn’t read my long ass OP. It’s not like I left a tl;dr explaining all my points for people like you. 

EXCEPT I TOTALLY DID! OOPS!

 

• • A new hero portrait is locked to a limited time $80 preorder when we used to get heroes for free
  • If people buy this bundle it would give ActiBlizz incentive to do more and tie more heroes to them.

   

 

I guess you couldn’t be bothered to read it because it’s not another copy and paste toxic post, calling me and over a hundred other users entitled when they explain why they don’t like this bundle. Oh well I guess that’s my fault too. But please, continue calling me entitled. I wallow in it.

 Legit question for you OP.  What if the skin was offered later for a nominal price.  That this bundle, which includes the standard rate of cards to dollars, a card back, a guaranteed golden legendary and MJ, was just an early access bundle for the skin, how would you feel then?

I am NOT saying it will be available, though I think it's a possibility.  

Also you don't seem to be arguing against the card back at all.  Your point seems to be with pre-ordering a game (which by the way is completely false, we aren't pre-ordering a game) and loot boxes (which is also a dishonest comparison due to the very nature of CCGs) being bundled with cosmetic items (and a steep price point).  But because this is an honest question I will do a little leg work here in trying to suss out why you aren't mentioning the card back in this example.  Is it because that if you are including one cosmetic item the other would naturally be included?  Or is it simply a sense of prioritization and what you personally value?  (i.e. I want the hero skin but don't care about the card back).  

Obviously I disagree with you and I think you are doing a bit of mental gymnastics to demonize the bundle pack further than is warranted.  I understand lamenting that someone may not have the funds or inclination to buy the big bundle.  I understand being simply disappointed and even wishing that blizzard offered other alternatives.  

What I don't understand is this near fanatical tone you've set.  So my questions are in effort to perhaps find some common ground.  Because despite your lengthy and well typed out explanation and points, the whole thing smacks of being disingenuous and hyperbole.  All in order to prod Blizzard into giving a concession that may be smaller than your touted issues but in line with what you actually want.  

I am hoping that is just me being naturally pessimistic.

Quote from Cptawesome >>

I personally never bought €10 skins because they add nothing to the gameplay. I do buy the preorder because I disagree with the assumption that all pre-orders are the same, I think a hearthstone preorder is making sure you can deckbuild and/or play competitively in a game we've been playing for years.

For me, the skin in the €80 dollar bundle is a nice free gift. Another €10 skin I would also not buy. 

 Exactly, for me skin is also just a add on . Mainly it’s about getting 1 Pack for 1$ right? 

That’s not great but something, and then you would get a golden Legendary right? The skin is like a Baloon you would get for free if you’re buying a car or whatever. 

Quote from DestroyerR >>

Look. You can try to convince people to boycott Hearthstone or whatever it is you want to do, until they decide to not lock Mecha-Jaraxxus behind a paywall. But in the end, there are people who are going to accept that price, and if they accept it, Blizzard has all the right to do it. I don’t think insisting in the subject and being passive-aggressive to people who don’t agree with you will convince anyone.

 I would honestly agree with the OP, IF I had to pay 60 bucks to purchase this game, got only the started deck and then was expected to fork out more money for packs.  If I was pre-ordering a 60 dollar game that I never played and had no idea what it was actually going to be like.  IF buying packs was actually a predatory act and not how CCGs work as a genre.  IF the skin had any real impact on the game play of the game.  Or if the bundle included the same number of cards as the "regular" bundle and only the skin was the added feature.

Even if one or all of these were true (save the skin affecting gameplay), which they are not, I wouldn't even care about the skin itself but far more about what a shitty company Blizzard is turning into.  When we have companies like EA fucking up some of the best titles in gaming for pure greed it irks the shit out of me when someone uses the fervor surrounding that issue to rile up people in a completely incomparable situation.  

 Next expansion - Mega Bundle: 150$ for: 80 packs, 1 gold legendry = 3200 dust > 20 packs, 15 gold rare = 12000 dust > 80 packs, and portrait Addled Deathwing.

Quote from xilkdsc >>

 Next expansion - Mega Bundle: 150$ for: 80 packs, 1 gold legendry = 3200 dust > 20 packs, 15 gold rare = 12000 dust > 80 packs, and portrait Addled Deathwing.

 If blizzard do something like that, I will probably buy it. I don’t mind blizzard increase the price level of bundle deal, but hate it when the value aren’t enough.

if blizzard charges $100 for 100packs, plus 2-3 golden legendarkes  and another exclusive hero portrait(which normally cost around $10), I will buy it rather than the current deal. Blizzard can even grantee minimum of 6-8 legendaries without golden. That’s value. At least I know I can get at least 1/3-1/2 of the all the cards by spending $100 on the expansion. 

Right now there is still no need to buy the bundle if you have enough dust, most legendaries are useless anyway. 

Free hero portraits are lame, it doesn’t feel special at all. individual hero portrait is too expensive for cosmetic.  Bundle it with the expansion is the best way. 

Quote from xilkdsc >>

 Next expansion - Mega Bundle: 150$ for: 80 packs, 1 gold legendry = 3200 dust > 20 packs, 15 gold rare = 12000 dust > 80 packs, and portrait Addled Deathwing.

 This is what im fearful of. Combining packs and useless shit in one package and charging premium for it. To be clear im not F2P, got the welcome bundle, KFT offer and witchwood offer. 

But this is clearly gone crazy. I dont want the skin or any skins for that matter, i never did. Why do i have to pay additional $10-15 for that skin in order to get 80 packs. Why not offer 80 packs for $60 and $10 for skin that everyone here is so crazy about.

I've pre-ordered bundles before and was happy enough with the value of Witchwood's 70 packs for $50. In the last few months I've hit a bit of Hearthstone fatigue and discovered Elder Scrolls: Legends which is much more generous with their rewards.

I probably wouldn't of pre-ordered anyway for Boomsday even if it was 70 for $50 but it's very disappointing to see the value go down and for a skin to be completely exclusive to an $80 bundle. $80 is a lot to spend on a game and Blizzard really should have provided at least 100 packs plus other extras to give it more value.

Quote from asteroidm>>

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre>>

Quote from Wingdude22>>

The initial creator of this thread doesn’t even like the skin , he thinks this MechaJaraxxus is super ugly.  

That is the complete opposite of what I said. I was quoting other users. My complaints were about how content we used to get for free (the hero portraits) are being paywalled to a limited time $80 preorder.

He just complained that HS is too expensive, and because the bundle costs 20% of some people’s monthly income therefore it should also cost x amount less ( wich it does kinda in some countries) . Even if Blizzard pays their employees the US standards. 

Not once in my OP did I mention the foreign exchange rates. My complaints were because the Mega Bundle adds fuckall and they wanna charge $80 for it.

(Although, the foreign players do bring up a good point. The exchange rates for the Mega Bundle in countries like Poland and Russia are not pretty.)

Its like someone allowed you to visit a super nice Park for free, you can walk or hire a bike to get there faster( wich allows you to spend more time, and explore more stuff) OP claims to never use a bike , loving to walk , but is very upset about the hiring cost of that Bike. So upset he makes a thread to convince others that it’s too expensive (in his eyes) to lower the hiring cost of that Bike that makes new attractions, and free entry to the Park possible. 

 Firstly, shit analogy. Secondly the original topic of the thread was on how the Mega Bundle was paywalling a hero portrait, when we get those for free, and also because the Mega Bundle is just a slightly bigger preorder bundle. As a sidenote, I also pointed out my long standing belief that preordering video games (let alone preordering loot boxes) is absurd and honestly anticonsumer.

But hey, it’s okay that you didn’t read my long ass OP. It’s not like I left a tl;dr explaining all my points for people like you. 

EXCEPT I TOTALLY DID! OOPS!

• • A new hero portrait is locked to a limited time $80 preorder when we used to get heroes for free
  • If people buy this bundle it would give ActiBlizz incentive to do more and tie more heroes to them.

I guess you couldn’t be bothered to read it because it’s not another copy and paste toxic post, calling me and over a hundred other users entitled when they explain why they don’t like this bundle. Oh well I guess that’s my fault too. But please, continue calling me entitled. I wallow in it.

 Legit question for you OP.  What if the skin was offered later for a nominal price.  That this bundle, which includes the standard rate of cards to dollars, a card back, a guaranteed golden legendary and MJ, was just an early access bundle for the skin, how would you feel then?

Then I’d point out how even less worth it the bundle is. Goes back to my stance on preordering (let alone preordering loot boxes.) And of course, I would still point out the fact we used to get hero portraits for free because we voted with our wallets and complained about the $10 ones. History would just repeat itself.

I am NOT saying it will be available, though I think it's a possibility.  

Also you don't seem to be arguing against the card back at all.

Your point seems to be with pre-ordering a game (which by the way is completely false, we aren't pre-ordering a game) and loot boxes (which is also a dishonest comparison due to the very nature of CCGs) being bundled with cosmetic items (and a steep price point).

I just want to point this out, and I will probably add this point to the OP: Hearthstone packs are loot boxes. They have the Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary rarities, are random chance, and cannot be traded. That fits the definition of a loot box, especially since many global governments around the world have declared Hearthstone packs as loot boxes because of this, and therefore gambling. Why else do you think China requires the drop rates for rarities disclosed?

And before anyone says “Oh then by that definition then Yugioh and Pokemon cards are gambling too! Get real.” That argument has been used by pro-lootbox shills for years, and have debunked numerous times. Those are physical goods that have value and can be traded. You can trade cards if you get cards you don’t want. So there is value in every pack you open, and every pack has a fixed open rate as there is no rarities. There is no legendaries or pity timer in a pack of Yugioh cards, therefore it’s not gambling. Loot boxes though, are not physical, cannot be traded, and have drop rate manipulation, therefore it is gambling.

Hearthstone packs are loot boxes but with a different name. Plain and simple.

 

But because this is an honest question I will do a little leg work here in trying to suss out why you aren't mentioning the card back in this example.  Is it because that if you are including one cosmetic item the other would naturally be included?  Or is it simply a sense of prioritization and what you personally value?  (i.e. I want the hero skin but don't care about the card back).  

Obviously I disagree with you and I think you are doing a bit of mental gymnastics to demonize the bundle pack further than is warranted. I understand lamenting that someone may not have the funds or inclination to buy the big bundle. I understand being simply disappointed and even wishing that blizzard offered other alternatives.

What I don't understand is this near fanatical tone you've set. So my questions are in effort to perhaps find some common ground. Because despite your lengthy and well typed out explanation and points, the whole thing smacks of being disingenuous and hyperbole. All in order to prod Blizzard into giving a concession that may be smaller than your touted issues but in line with what you actually want.

I am hoping that is just me being naturally pessimistic.

The majority of players aren’t really big on cardbacks, especially since it’s a cosmetic that is barely visible ingame, only being visible in the deck tray and half of your opponent’s hand. Hero portraits however are much more popular and beloved by the playerbase. After all, remember the Nemsy fiasco?

Plus here’s the thing: We get a new cardback every month for free anyway. Guaranteed free cosmetic. Hero portraits however were less frequent but more special. The first three were paid, which people didn’t like that, so they didn’t buy it and complained, so we got hero portraits as free rewards instead, and people liked it. There was another hero sold for money, that being Khadgar, and he was limited time too. People did complain about that, however most of the complaints were over the fact he could only be bought if you were on iOS.

So with that said, the paywalling of Mecha Jaraxxus has me on edge for two reasons: 1. It’s a nice portrait that is paywalled off for $80, which $80 just to get a portrait is absurd. 2. It puts the future of hero portraits in jeopardy. If this bundle sells well, what’s stopping Activision-Blizzard from not doing free hero portraits anymore and paywalling them into $80 bundles? After all, we don’t get paid Adventures anymore since the three expansions sold really well. This is why I keep saying not to buy the bundle and vote with your wallets.

But if you want me to argue against the cardback, I think my stance on preordering covers that.

 

double post sorry

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre >>

Quote from asteroidm>>

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre>>

Quote from Wingdude22>>

The initial creator of this thread doesn’t even like the skin , he thinks this MechaJaraxxus is super ugly.  

That is the complete opposite of what I said. I was quoting other users. My complaints were about how content we used to get for free (the hero portraits) are being paywalled to a limited time $80 preorder.

He just complained that HS is too expensive, and because the bundle costs 20% of some people’s monthly income therefore it should also cost x amount less ( wich it does kinda in some countries) . Even if Blizzard pays their employees the US standards. 

Not once in my OP did I mention the foreign exchange rates. My complaints were because the Mega Bundle adds fuckall and they wanna charge $80 for it.

(Although, the foreign players do bring up a good point. The exchange rates for the Mega Bundle in countries like Poland and Russia are not pretty.)

Its like someone allowed you to visit a super nice Park for free, you can walk or hire a bike to get there faster( wich allows you to spend more time, and explore more stuff) OP claims to never use a bike , loving to walk , but is very upset about the hiring cost of that Bike. So upset he makes a thread to convince others that it’s too expensive (in his eyes) to lower the hiring cost of that Bike that makes new attractions, and free entry to the Park possible. 

 Firstly, shit analogy. Secondly the original topic of the thread was on how the Mega Bundle was paywalling a hero portrait, when we get those for free, and also because the Mega Bundle is just a slightly bigger preorder bundle. As a sidenote, I also pointed out my long standing belief that preordering video games (let alone preordering loot boxes) is absurd and honestly anticonsumer.

But hey, it’s okay that you didn’t read my long ass OP. It’s not like I left a tl;dr explaining all my points for people like you. 

EXCEPT I TOTALLY DID! OOPS!

• • A new hero portrait is locked to a limited time $80 preorder when we used to get heroes for free
  • If people buy this bundle it would give ActiBlizz incentive to do more and tie more heroes to them.

I guess you couldn’t be bothered to read it because it’s not another copy and paste toxic post, calling me and over a hundred other users entitled when they explain why they don’t like this bundle. Oh well I guess that’s my fault too. But please, continue calling me entitled. I wallow in it.

 Legit question for you OP.  What if the skin was offered later for a nominal price.  That this bundle, which includes the standard rate of cards to dollars, a card back, a guaranteed golden legendary and MJ, was just an early access bundle for the skin, how would you feel then?

Then I’d point out how even less worth it the bundle is. Goes back to my stance on preordering (let alone preordering loot boxes.) And of course, I would still point out the fact we used to get hero portraits for free because we voted with our wallets and complained about the $10 ones. History would just repeat itself.

I am NOT saying it will be available, though I think it's a possibility.  

Also you don't seem to be arguing against the card back at all.

Your point seems to be with pre-ordering a game (which by the way is completely false, we aren't pre-ordering a game) and loot boxes (which is also a dishonest comparison due to the very nature of CCGs) being bundled with cosmetic items (and a steep price point).

I just want to point this out, and I will probably add this point to the OP: Hearthstone packs are loot boxes. They have the Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary rarities, are random chance, and cannot be traded. That fits the definition of a loot box, especially since many global governments around the world have declared Hearthstone packs as loot boxes because of this, and therefore gambling. Why else do you think China requires the drop rates for rarities disclosed?

And before anyone says “Oh then by that definition then Yugioh and Pokemon cards are gambling too! Get real.” That argument has been used by pro-lootbox shills for years, and have debunked numerous times. Those are physical goods that have value and can be traded. You can trade cards if you get cards you don’t want. So there is value in every pack you open, and every pack has a fixed open rate as there is no rarities. There is no legendaries or pity timer in a pack of Yugioh cards, therefore it’s not gambling. Loot boxes though, are not physical, cannot be traded, and have drop rate manipulation, therefore it is gambling.

Hearthstone packs are loot boxes but with a different name. Plain and simple.

 

But because this is an honest question I will do a little leg work here in trying to suss out why you aren't mentioning the card back in this example.  Is it because that if you are including one cosmetic item the other would naturally be included?  Or is it simply a sense of prioritization and what you personally value?  (i.e. I want the hero skin but don't care about the card back).  

Obviously I disagree with you and I think you are doing a bit of mental gymnastics to demonize the bundle pack further than is warranted. I understand lamenting that someone may not have the funds or inclination to buy the big bundle. I understand being simply disappointed and even wishing that blizzard offered other alternatives.

What I don't understand is this near fanatical tone you've set. So my questions are in effort to perhaps find some common ground. Because despite your lengthy and well typed out explanation and points, the whole thing smacks of being disingenuous and hyperbole. All in order to prod Blizzard into giving a concession that may be smaller than your touted issues but in line with what you actually want.

I am hoping that is just me being naturally pessimistic.

 

The majority of players aren’t really big on cardbacks, especially since it’s a cosmetic that is barely visible ingame, only being visible in the deck tray and half of your opponent’s hand. Hero portraits however are much more popular and beloved by the playerbase. After all, remember the Nemsy fiasco?

Plus here’s the thing: We get a new cardback every month for free anyway. Guaranteed free cosmetic. Hero portraits however were less frequent but more special. The first three were paid, which people didn’t like that, so they didn’t buy it and complained, so we got hero portraits as free rewards instead, and people liked it. There was another hero sold for money, that being Khadgar, and he was limited time too. People did complain about that, however most of the complaints were over the fact he could only be bought if you were on iOS.

So with that said, the paywalling of Mecha Jaraxxus has me on edge for two reasons: 1. It’s a nice portrait that is paywalled off for $80, which $80 just to get a portrait is absurd. 2. It puts the future of hero portraits in jeopardy. If this bundle sells well, what’s stopping Activision-Blizzard from not doing free hero portraits anymore and paywalling them into $80 bundles? After all, we don’t get paid Adventures anymore since the three expansions sold really well. This is why I keep saying not to buy the bundle and vote with your wallets.

But if you want me to argue against the cardback, I think my stance on preordering covers that.

 

 

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre >>

Quote from asteroidm>>

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre>>

Quote from Wingdude22>>

The initial creator of this thread doesn’t even like the skin , he thinks this MechaJaraxxus is super ugly.  

That is the complete opposite of what I said. I was quoting other users. My complaints were about how content we used to get for free (the hero portraits) are being paywalled to a limited time $80 preorder.

He just complained that HS is too expensive, and because the bundle costs 20% of some people’s monthly income therefore it should also cost x amount less ( wich it does kinda in some countries) . Even if Blizzard pays their employees the US standards. 

Not once in my OP did I mention the foreign exchange rates. My complaints were because the Mega Bundle adds fuckall and they wanna charge $80 for it.

(Although, the foreign players do bring up a good point. The exchange rates for the Mega Bundle in countries like Poland and Russia are not pretty.)

Its like someone allowed you to visit a super nice Park for free, you can walk or hire a bike to get there faster( wich allows you to spend more time, and explore more stuff) OP claims to never use a bike , loving to walk , but is very upset about the hiring cost of that Bike. So upset he makes a thread to convince others that it’s too expensive (in his eyes) to lower the hiring cost of that Bike that makes new attractions, and free entry to the Park possible. 

 Firstly, shit analogy. Secondly the original topic of the thread was on how the Mega Bundle was paywalling a hero portrait, when we get those for free, and also because the Mega Bundle is just a slightly bigger preorder bundle. As a sidenote, I also pointed out my long standing belief that preordering video games (let alone preordering loot boxes) is absurd and honestly anticonsumer.

But hey, it’s okay that you didn’t read my long ass OP. It’s not like I left a tl;dr explaining all my points for people like you. 

EXCEPT I TOTALLY DID! OOPS!

• • A new hero portrait is locked to a limited time $80 preorder when we used to get heroes for free
  • If people buy this bundle it would give ActiBlizz incentive to do more and tie more heroes to them.

I guess you couldn’t be bothered to read it because it’s not another copy and paste toxic post, calling me and over a hundred other users entitled when they explain why they don’t like this bundle. Oh well I guess that’s my fault too. But please, continue calling me entitled. I wallow in it.

 Legit question for you OP.  What if the skin was offered later for a nominal price.  That this bundle, which includes the standard rate of cards to dollars, a card back, a guaranteed golden legendary and MJ, was just an early access bundle for the skin, how would you feel then?

Then I’d point out how even less worth it the bundle is. Goes back to my stance on preordering (let alone preordering loot boxes.) And of course, I would still point out the fact we used to get hero portraits for free because we voted with our wallets and complained about the $10 ones. History would just repeat itself.

I am NOT saying it will be available, though I think it's a possibility.  

Also you don't seem to be arguing against the card back at all.

Your point seems to be with pre-ordering a game (which by the way is completely false, we aren't pre-ordering a game) and loot boxes (which is also a dishonest comparison due to the very nature of CCGs) being bundled with cosmetic items (and a steep price point).

I just want to point this out, and I will probably add this point to the OP: Hearthstone packs are loot boxes. They have the Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary rarities, are random chance, and cannot be traded. That fits the definition of a loot box, especially since many global governments around the world have declared Hearthstone packs as loot boxes because of this, and therefore gambling. Why else do you think China requires the drop rates for rarities disclosed?

And before anyone says “Oh then by that definition then Yugioh and Pokemon cards are gambling too! Get real.” That argument has been used by pro-lootbox shills for years, and have debunked numerous times. Those are physical goods that have value and can be traded. You can trade cards if you get cards you don’t want. So there is value in every pack you open, and every pack has a fixed open rate as there is no rarities. There is no legendaries or pity timer in a pack of Yugioh cards, therefore it’s not gambling. Loot boxes though, are not physical, cannot be traded, and have drop rate manipulation, therefore it is gambling.

Hearthstone packs are loot boxes but with a different name. Plain and simple.

 

But because this is an honest question I will do a little leg work here in trying to suss out why you aren't mentioning the card back in this example.  Is it because that if you are including one cosmetic item the other would naturally be included?  Or is it simply a sense of prioritization and what you personally value?  (i.e. I want the hero skin but don't care about the card back).  

Obviously I disagree with you and I think you are doing a bit of mental gymnastics to demonize the bundle pack further than is warranted. I understand lamenting that someone may not have the funds or inclination to buy the big bundle. I understand being simply disappointed and even wishing that blizzard offered other alternatives.

What I don't understand is this near fanatical tone you've set. So my questions are in effort to perhaps find some common ground. Because despite your lengthy and well typed out explanation and points, the whole thing smacks of being disingenuous and hyperbole. All in order to prod Blizzard into giving a concession that may be smaller than your touted issues but in line with what you actually want.

I am hoping that is just me being naturally pessimistic.

 

The majority of players aren’t really big on cardbacks, especially since it’s a cosmetic that is barely visible ingame, only being visible in the deck tray and half of your opponent’s hand. Hero portraits however are much more popular and beloved by the playerbase. After all, remember the Nemsy fiasco?

Plus here’s the thing: We get a new cardback every month for free anyway. Guaranteed free cosmetic. Hero portraits however were less frequent but more special. The first three were paid, which people didn’t like that, so they didn’t buy it and complained, so we got hero portraits as free rewards instead, and people liked it. There was another hero sold for money, that being Khadgar, and he was limited time too. People did complain about that, however most of the complaints were over the fact he could only be bought if you were on iOS.

So with that said, the paywalling of Mecha Jaraxxus has me on edge for two reasons: 1. It’s a nice portrait that is paywalled off for $80, which $80 just to get a portrait is absurd. 2. It puts the future of hero portraits in jeopardy. If this bundle sells well, what’s stopping Activision-Blizzard from not doing free hero portraits anymore and paywalling them into $80 bundles? After all, we don’t get paid Adventures anymore since the three expansions sold really well. This is why I keep saying not to buy the bundle and vote with your wallets.

But if you want me to argue against the cardback, I think my stance on preordering covers that.

 

 

Here' I link you my analysis on this preorder again.

https://www.hearthpwn.com/forums/hearthstone-general/general-discussion/220154-dust-per-dollar-value-of-boomsday-bundles-compared

If you still think that preordering is a bad deal, you should really change game my friend. I'm not criticizing your stance on pre orders or lootboxes in general, but HS may not be the game for you. 

This is the best deal you can get right now (and second only to WW) to get going with the new expansion. "Voting with your wallet" doesn't make sense, you're going to spend more after the bundle promotion is over. So Blizzard is gonna get more money for the same asset it's giving you.

Get real, seriously. This bundles are a great deal if you wanna play HS in its fullest as soon as the new expansion comes out.

I respect your opinion, and I DO BELIEVE that preordering in some cases is really bad (look at AAA titles like No Man's Sky fiasco), but this is a game that was born and raised like this, so either you like it or not. And before asserting that "Blizzard has gone too far" please mind that that's a bold statement not proven by any data, just your view on an aesthetic item, offered to who is gonna invest more in a more exclusive offer.

Quote from Dr_Scaphandre >>

Then I’d point out how even less worth it the bundle is. Goes back to my stance on preordering (let alone preordering loot boxes.) And of course, I would still point out the fact we used to get hero portraits for free because we voted with our wallets and complained about the $10 ones. History would just repeat itself.

   I just want to point this out, and I will probably add this point to the OP: Hearthstone packs are loot boxes. They have the Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary rarities, are random chance, and cannot be traded. That fits the definition of a loot box, especially since many global governments around the world have declared Hearthstone packs as loot boxes because of this, and therefore gambling. Why else do you think China requires the drop rates for rarities disclosed? And before anyone says “Oh then by that definition then Yugioh and Pokemon cards are gambling too! Get real.” That argument has been used by pro-lootbox shills for years, and have debunked numerous times. Those are physical goods that have value and can be traded. You can trade cards if you get cards you don’t want. So there is value in every pack you open, and every pack has a fixed open rate as there is no rarities. There is no legendaries or pity timer in a pack of Yugioh cards, therefore it’s not gambling. Loot boxes though, are not physical, cannot be traded, and have drop rate manipulation, therefore it is gambling. Hearthstone packs are loot boxes but with a different name. Plain and simple.

It's stuff like this, the BS mental gymnastics you are doing here that makes it hard for me to take you seriously.  The worst part is you, very briefly, touch on a real point.  One that could be seriously argued.  But instead of sticking to it you make shit up.  There are no 'listed' rarities in Yugioh and Pokemon.  But certain cards were printed far less than others.  By that fact, even though it wasn't labeled rare, there were cards that were indeed rare.  To the point that last year when certain boosters were released that people figured out how to map where rare pokemon were going to end up in a box of boosters.  Honestly this seems more egregious a sin that what heartstone does, at least hearthstone labels what is and isn't rare.  There are MANY other things I could touch on here in regards to those games but I think the above point is good enough. The one, and only point you have that I can agree with is a physical product.  It's just too bad you don't expound on it and instead focus on other BS reasons.  Trading is obviously is missing.  But more important than that is the lack of real world monetary value.  This argument is about the only one that you could use as a counter point to Blizzards prices.  The problem with that argument is that the valuation of such things is made in consensus.  Not just by you or me.  I have no data points but my guess would be that since they keep releasing bundles that they have been successful enough with them to justify the continuation of them every single expansion.  

The majority of players aren’t really big on cardbacks, especially since it’s a cosmetic that is barely visible ingame, only being visible in the deck tray and half of your opponent’s hand. Hero portraits however are much more popular and beloved by the playerbase. After all, remember the Nemsy fiasco? Plus here’s the thing: We get a new cardback every month for free anyway. Guaranteed free cosmetic. Hero portraits however were less frequent but more special. The first three were paid, which people didn’t like that, so they didn’t buy it and complained, so we got hero portraits as free rewards instead, and people liked it. There was another hero sold for money, that being Khadgar, and he was limited time too. People did complain about that, however most of the complaints were over the fact he could only be bought if you were on iOS. So with that said, the paywalling of Mecha Jaraxxus has me on edge for two reasons: 1. It’s a nice portrait that is paywalled off for $80, which $80 just to get a portrait is absurd. 2. It puts the future of hero portraits in jeopardy. If this bundle sells well, what’s stopping Activision-Blizzard from not doing free hero portraits anymore and paywalling them into $80 bundles? After all, we don’t get paid Adventures anymore since the three expansions sold really well. This is why I keep saying not to buy the bundle and vote with your wallets. But if you want me to argue against the cardback, I think my stance on preordering covers that.

/sigh, your first bolded point.  I don't know if you are doing this on purpose or not.  First, you aren't getting just a portrait.  You ignore the packs, the card back and the guaranteed golden legendary.   To your second point I also have to disagree.  Blizzard have said they want to make hero portraits a thing that you get through multiple avenues, not just for money, not just for events and not just bundled with other stuff.  They are essentially doing with portraits what games like pokemon did with special edition cards but in a far less egregious way.   Just look at the hoops you had to jump through just to get into the LOTTERY ( yes lottery) to get the Grand Party card. It's just logical fallacy after logical fallacy here.  You have no fucking clue why they stopped doing adventures.  I mean you could if you read their own explanation.  Instead you draw your on erroneous lines.  In any event we have gotten an adventure like game mode with every expansions FOR FREE since they stopped doing adventures.   But you are right I should vote with my wallet.  So I will buy the pack (both of em probably) because I realize they won't lock every Portrait behind 80 dollar paywalls.  I also don't care about portraits.  I do care about legendary cards though.  This is the standard deal, except now I am not capped at 50 cards.   Oh lastly to point out the common ground I found.  Is opening card packs "gambling".  Yes, yes it is.  Am I okay with that, yes yes I am.  I don't find gambling to be inherently bad as long as you understand what you are doing.  So am I in favor of labeling something for what it is?  Sure, HS pack buying is gambling.  But unlike casino gambling I get to keep and use the cards I get in game, or dust em to make new cards.  I am already way ahead of actual gambling.  

Wow........the amount of people salty over a company trying to make money is scary. 

 

Meanwhile, my ATVI stock has gone up 124.87% since May of 2016 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Quote from Foshizzel17 >>

Wow........the amount of people salty over a company trying to make money is scary. 

 

Meanwhile, my ATVI stock has gone up 124.87% since May of 2016 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

 Right beside you there.  I bought about 5k at $17.59/share.  Hadn't looked at a quote in a while till this thread came up.  Good days.

So you get 80 packs for free (four months.) If you're wise you work your way to saving all 80 for the next expansion. What more does buying 50 packs do ya for? Not that much.  A few rares you missed, 10 epics, maybe 3 you'll use, and 2 legends plus dust for maybe 2 more - you'll get %50 more than you got for free, by my back-of-the-envelope calculation. The vast majority of great decks - you won't get to try.

That's no bargain to my way of thinking; I've got fun decks to play now and just hate grinding.

HS is a great game. But I'm looking forward to Artifact. I'll pay to play everything and anything - maybe it won't be as good a game, maybe the simulation of scarcity in HS is what make "the illusion of progress" so delicious in HS, but we'll see.

Quote from henomar >>

So you get 80 packs for free (four months.) If you're wise you work your way to saving all 80 for the next expansion. What more does buying 50 packs do ya for? Not that much.  A few rares you missed, 10 epics, maybe 3 you'll use, and 2 legends plus dust for maybe 2 more - you'll get %50 more than you got for free, by my back-of-the-envelope calculation. That's no bargain to my way of thinking; I've got fun decks to play now and just hate grinding.

I'm looking forward to Artifact.

 Depends on how much you play and how you like to play.  Me personally, I come up with decks on my own most of the time.  That generally leads to lots of experimentation and using a lot of the cards in my library.  It's certainly not the "optimal" way to play when grinding ladder.  I could buy both packs and not get all the cards I want to play with.  

Don't mistake me, I know I am likely in the minority here.  But it's not "wise" for me to just bank gold.  I use that gold there and then and get use out of the cards as collect them.  

Dude this is optional... No need to be whiny over the option of purchasing extra packs and a cosmetic hero.

I for one will be purchasing $50 bundle and spending my 11k gold.. can I afford the Mega bundle? yes, but do I need/want it? no

I am confident not EVERY card needs to be collected and crafted... got 16k dust in the bank too.

OP, you've convinced me.

 

I'm buying both bundles.

 

‘The exclusive card back that comes with the bundle is such a joke. Bundle the hero portrait up with the bundle is a correct move. At least we can see the cosmetic while playing. Blizzard should do this more often. I will still say vote with your wallet.i hope enough people buy the mega packs so tha blizzard make this a thing. Maybe Blizzard will be willing to throw more value at us next time!