Hearthpwn

Quote from 3nnu1 >>

The battlepass blew up in their face to a degree that is hard to come back from. Blizzard lied about what it would be, then was silent for weeks while the community raged against them. Then finally caved without ever acknowledging how horrible the initial iteration was. 

When you combine that with ridiculous weighted RNG, a hidden matchmaker and a complete disregard for any semblance of a competitive game, you should not be surprised.  The pro players mostly quit, the streamers who gain popularity are the critics and the websites are mainly dead except for people who complain about the game and those that deride them for doing so. 

So I ask you a question. What do you get when you turn your game into a RNG clown fiesta rigged to stimulate spending instead of an interesting competitive game? You get what you fucking deserve. 

 

 

 Can someone tell me of the Battlepass Drama? It was from before I came back.

Quote from Kinkyjohnfowler >>

I think it’s gotten a bit better recently. I mean a few months ago (announcement of the battlepass) was pretty low. 

Coming back to the game last October after a 3 year break though I was astounded at the state of the game. Playing against Rogue and Mage the first few times I assumed I was playing against meme decks, that the ridiculous random generation decks were top tier or close to it never crossed my mind at first, and then demon hunter aggro with their insane card draw was baffling to me. I’m undecided whether or not to stick around again, if they show restraint with the power level of cards, tone down the RNG and keep up their recent ‘good will’ I’ll be happy, but I doubt it.

 I guess we will have Classic at least.

I do like some of the things they did, duplicate protection mainly. Being more responsive is nice but you know, show me the money. What players really want is material advantages. Well ofc second to the game being fun in the first place ofc but you know what I mean. And for that you gotta keep your eye on the economy of the game. I think Standard is an overlooked event, maybe it's just been to long but I remember it and still dislike it. What Standard effectively did was it gave your cards a two year lifetime (at best) before they are thrown to the garbage pile, Wild. And sorry for players who enjoy Wild but that is what it effectively is. And then there is this mess with retiring Classic and before that nerfing Classic cards or HoFing them but I won't get into that again.

The primary fix imo needs to come from the dust economy. And it is very simple, takes two to make one. That's the simple rule and mantra. DE two commons to make one common of choice. Two golden legendaries to make one golden legendary of choice. The latter is already the case, the former very much isn't but that is what I mean. Make it equal for all rarities and foils. Takes two to make one. Simple, good, beautiful.

There would still be issues after that, I think the current pace of expansions, especially adding Mini-sets is breakneck. Can't get to fully appreciate the meta before it changes. Have two expansions a year and they can't both be pack expansions with mini-sets. This ofc also helps players keep up in terms of gold better. I'd also really focus on reducing the RNG of the game, try to limit it and channel it. Also power creep is becoming a serious issue, keep the cards generally balanced.

Anyway I am sure I will be attacked by some rabid consoomers as usual. But these are just changes that are needed to keep the game healthy and fun for a long time. Because fun is the ultimate metric of a game, if it is fun it will be popular, a global and cultural phenomenon and that is what gives you lots of money. Massive numbers of happy players spending a little because they love your product. Not trying to fleece more and more a constantly decreasing pool of whales using Skinner box tactics. Old Blizz knew this new one... not so sure.

Do I expect to see all these changes? No, but the possibility remains to save this game. And yes I do think it very much needs saving, there is a kind of malaise affecting HS and it is dragging it surely towards the bottom. I think just about all players feel it even if they can't put their finger on it. Well the issues are these various bad policies working in tandem and feeding off each other, most of them stem from a shortsighted desire for profits over longterm sustainability of the game and player enjoyment. We as players need to speak up before it is too late to save this once great game.