It has been nearly nine years sinceHearthstonereleased, and thousands of cards have been printed for the digital trading card game with updates, expansions, and more content coming at regular intervals. In its most recent expansion,Hearthstoneeven added the Death Knight - its 11th playable class, the second of which added after launch. With hundreds of thousands of active players at any given time,Hearthstoneis still doing well.
Yet, someHearthstoneplayers have concerns about the future of the TCG.Hearthstonerecently revealed a reduced esports program for 2023 with fewer events and a slashed prize pool. As its competitive scene erodes away, many players have begun to fear for the health of the game itself.
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Hearthstone Esports in 2023
Theesports scene inHearthstonefor 2023is much thinner than it was in 2022. Last year, there were over a dozen competitive events, each with their own individual prize pools. This year, there are only seven events; three Masters Tour Seasonal Championships, three Battlegrounds: Lobby Legends, and the 2023 World Championship. The Masters Tours will also have no prize pool at all, meaning the only incentive to participate is the chance to qualify for the World Championship.
What’s more, the total prize pool forHearthstoneesports is significantly less than in 2022. The World Championship has a prize pool of $500,000, and each Battlegrounds: Lobby Legends has a prize pool of $50,000, for a grand total of $650,000. For comparison, last year’s events had a total of $3 million available through different competitions.
There are several factors that likely played into the gutting ofHearthstoneesports in 2023. Over the last three years,Hearthstonehad a special deal with YouTube that restricted its events to the streaming platform, which restricted viewership. Thedissolution of Blizzard and NetEase’s partnershipalmost certainly played a factor too, considering China often had a big representation atHearthstoneevents. Many professional players are already deciding not to compete this year, on top of the ChineseHearthstoneservers being are indefinitely closed. If this year’s events don’t do well, it wouldn’t be surprising ifHearthstonecuts the program entirely.
Less Esports Point to a Potentially Grim Future for Hearthstone
Someesports events create truly memorable moments, and competing for prize pools breathe life into many PvP games. Meanwhile, its absence can lead to stagnation in the competitive scene. This year’s comparatively weak esports itinerary could spell trouble for the future ofHearthstone.
In 2018, Blizzard brought an end to official esports events forHeroes of the Storm, its MOBA competitor toLeague of LegendsandDota 2. Over the next several years, Blizzard gradually weaned off support forHeroes of the Stormuntil finally putting it into maintenance mode in July 2022. Though the game is still playable and has a modest community,Heroes of the Stormis no longer receiving new content.Hearthstonemight be headed down the same road.
With no confirmation of a 2024 esports season forHearthstone, many players fear it mayend official esports events altogether like withHeroes of the Storm. If the lack of a professional competitive scene drains interest and revenue fromHearthstone, new content could likewise start to slow - or even stop completely.
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Hearthstone Can Survive, With or Without Esports
That said, there is no reason to start panicking aboutHearthstonequite yet. In its 2023 esports announcement, Blizzard said the scope and success ofHearthstoneand its esports program are separate. It confirmed the game still has long-term plans, including the recentHearthstoneCreator Program. The TCGstill makes millions of dollars for Blizzard, so as long as it continues to be profitable, Blizzard will continue to support it even if the esports scene goes away.
While Blizzard did not confirm any esports plans for 2024, it said, “The new program is sized for sustainability asHearthstoneEsports turns 10." Clearly Blizzard hopes to continueHearthstoneesports into the future, and with its exclusivity deal with YouTube now over, esports competitions forHearthstonecan be streamed on Twitchagain, which will hopefully expand viewership.
It is possible that a windfall of support forHearthstoneesports could revive the program, so fans should tune in to show their support. In the past,Hearthstonehas sold special bundles of cards and cosmetics to raise money for esports prize pools, and bringing these back would be a great way to let fans supportHearthstone. But regardless of the success of its esports program,Hearthstoneseems to be flourishing. Competitive players ultimately make up a miniscule fraction of the playerbase, and average fans may not even watch the events. Even if its esports program vanishes completely,Hearthstone should continue to add new content.
Nevertheless,Hearthstoneis inching towards its 10-year anniversary. As a live-service game, the possibility ofHearthstoneentering maintenance mode is ever-present and only increases with every year. Hopefully,Hearthstonerevenue doesn’t start to declineso fans can keep enjoying the TCG - and its esports events - for years to come.
Hearthstoneis available now for Mobile and PC.
