Following the critical response to the recent card art changes (review our Patch 14.6 coverage here), Blizzard has spoken with a journalist from Kotaku in order to bring more clarity to the situation:
Quote from BlizzardThe recent changes were applied to make those cards more visually cohesive and consistent with the art style of Hearthstone today. When Hearthstone first launched, we brought in a lot of artwork from the physical World of Warcraft Trading Card Game. In the years since, Hearthstone has developed a look, feel, and personality of its own that distinguishes it from that of Warcraft — though we still love being a part of that universe. We’ll always be looking for ways to deliver on the game’s unique style, charm, and personality.
(Lead Mission Designer) Dave Kosak also spoke with PC Gamer to discuss his views on the reasons for the changes:
Quote from PC GamerBlizzard made changes to the artwork on eight Hearthstone cards yesterday (and changed the names of two of them), and the reaction was not entirely positive. Multiple posters in this Reddit thread, for instance, speculate that the sex and violence was dialed back in order to be in line with Chinese regulations. That would not be unprecedented: China's gaming market is heavily censored, and Blizzard has previously made changes to World of Warcraft visuals in order to comply with regulations.In this case, however, China had nothing to do with it. Lead mission designer Dave Kosak told us that after reviewing the full Hearthstone set, Blizzard decided that the art on some of the cards simply didn't meet its standards, and that Blizzard "wouldn't print those same cards today."
Quote fromWe went back and really just brought everything up to our standards. It wasn't because we were looking at ratings, or international [regulations], or anything like that. We really just wanted our artists to feel good about everything in the set.Succubus underwent the most complete transformation: The stats and effect are the same, but the sexy cruel demons who "slake their lust with coupling" are out, and pack-hunting "demonic beasts" are in. Mistress of Pain (now Queen of Pain), Secretkeeper, and Windfury Harpy have also had the sexy factor dialed back, while Bite, Eviscerate, and Deadly Shot are now less graphically violent.
Kosak confirmed that some of the changes were aimed at toning down the portrayals of sex and violence in the game (although designer Liv Breeden noted that one card, Headcrack, was updated because it was just too dark and hard to read) but emphasized:
Quote from[...The decision was driven not by external forces] but just kind of bringing it up to the standards we felt really good about today.
Two words: Bull - Shit.
Meow
I like cats too :)
I've been voting Democrat for over 20 years and still downvoted your BS. Fuck censorship and political correctness.
I really wish you hyper far left progressive types would just bugger off somewhere, you're making the sane dems look bad.
if you have to do it for China give them their own version of the game, stop fucking with what we have
god im disappointed
Agreed! They should change all the art they've changed into their original state when they were first released (or how they're supposed to look like) and let China have their own.
Y'know if you just admitted it was so you could launch in China to shut up the shareholders we would at least respect you guys but this is 100% external forces IE China.
this doesn't change the fact that asia already has their version while we have ours. asia has their version of that 7 mana returns to hand minion if you win joust when that minion dies. we have some skeletonish looking guy while they have neat knight looking guy.
"Wanted to make Hearthstone more visually consistent"
Leeroy still remains unchanged.
The released statement is a lie.
Another swj ass licking. At least new artworks are free, lol. Better finally nerf big priest in wild. But no it will be an anti swj move.
What a crock of shit... excuse me "crap"
What's wrong with sex and violence?
Sensitive people/snowflakes is your answer.
How you all dare to complain about any card art rework while this one is in the game running freely? HOW?
I agree! It seems to be a fan art and this is pretty cool,
but does not fit with the game design.
I'm not against this visual change, I think even interesting because the focus of the game is not having pornographic or violent cards.
You'll find tons of sites for that purpose with a quick Google search.
As long as the image remains consistent with the voice and effect of the card I find the change valid and renew the look of cards that remain even after the expansions come out.
The game has a "T" Category, which means it is for +14, i'm not saying it makes it an adult game, because it isn't, but, which really means is, it can contain explicit violence, blood and sexual references, so, no, i wasn't a "kids game" all this time.
Reminded me of something read a while back: https://www.techinasia.com/china-doesnt-censor-skeletons-the-truth-about-game-censorship-in-the-middle-kingdom
While the article mentioned that the stuff wasn't banned in China (don't know if it changed since then), it does state that some companies might be choosing to voluntarily censor themselves in order not to have to deal with Chinese laws regarding these things. And as we all know, China has one of the biggest fan bases when it comes to Blizzard games.
My God, this is such a huge first world problem, that hungry children in Africa will begin to collect money to aid you in your cause...
That's awesome for kids and girls who wants to enjoy as much as we do this game. Hypersexualization is bad for women, they feel bad and objectfied. Gore is bad for more conservative parents, now they'll be less resistant for their kids who wants to play this game.
New times, new changes, change sometimes is bad, but necessary. Props for blizzard for this huge step, this show how they are ahead at the current time (even without making the remake for Black Thorne or Diablo 2).