Blizzard has just announced that the virtual tavern has the capacity for 100-million and can easily fit in more. Hearthstone players have hit 100-million unique users, which is a massive milestone for a free-to-play digital card game.
To have come so far in five years says a lot and the success of Hearthstone can be attributed to a number of factors. From its beautiful art and amazing voice acting to its rich Warcraft lore roots and its tongue in cheek humour.
Whatever the reason, it is undeniably the most successful digital card game by far. With development teams working around the clock to craft new and improved player experiences, introduction packs for new players as well as a gentle learning curve.
Blizzard is also hard at work on single player activities and events as well as developing around three new card expansions a year each with approximately 130 new cards, all that work is really paying off.
Hearthstone Players
It is often the fear of the unknown that can intimidate a new player from trying an online game, with ‘troll humour’ at an all-time high as well as toxicity in the form of verbal abuse.
Hearthstone offers an easy and warm way to get into multiplayer gaming within this environment, for free, from your mobile phone. President of Blizzard Entertainment J. Allen Brack was beaming with pride as he announced the 100-million milestone and the warmth and spirit of the Hearthstone community.
Whether at events like BlizzCon and Fireside Gatherings or just in tuning in to watch their favourite streamers, it’s been so inspiring to see millions of players and fans coming together, online and in real life, to participate in the Hearthstone community.
Because of Hearthstone’s simple mechanics and interactions, that grow in complexity as you learn to build your first deck, it is labelled as a game that is to learn but hard to master. Like most Blizzard titles, the aesthetic appeal attracts people to play and the game is designed to be newbie friendly.
Blizzard has refined the game design so instead of overwhelming players early on they learn the fundamentals of the game. In doing so they feel as if they are mastering a small aspect before moving on, and it’s clear this approach is working.
100 Million Unique Hearthstone Players
As official social events known as ‘Fireside Gatherings’ continue to grow across the globe, the Blizzard developed program continues to recruit new players and grow awareness of Hearthstone. Every month ‘Innkeepers’ coordinate get-togethers at restaurants, bars, parks, university clubs and so on to play games and promote a healthy inclusive atmosphere.
I attended a Fireside at Nekocards in Melbourne a few months back. I wanted help refining my deck and getting some tips since I still consider myself pretty n00b. I was nervous about what sort of people I’d meet but everyone was super accommodating, as I learnt about card interactions I previously didn’t understand I met some friends who I’ve stayed in touch with through Facebook.
To thank you guys, the community who make up the 100-million, Blizzard is holding a special in-game event as a way of saying thanks and please continue to enjoy Hearthstone. Anyone who logs in between November 8 and 11 will receive six free packs from ‘The Boomsday Project’ set, as well as a ‘Celebrate the Players’ quest where you can earn 500 gold to buy new packs or enter the Arena.
So what are you waiting for? Pull up a chair by the hearth because it’s a busy night… but there’s always room for another.
