As a seasoned gamer with decades of experiences under my belt, I must say, this news has left me utterly spellbound! Hearthstone, a game that has been a constant companion in my gaming journey, is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in 2025. The splitting of Arena into two modes, the introduction of new expansions, and the remastered versions of Warcraft 1 and 2 are not just updates; they’re the tantalizing taste of a grand feast for us gamers!
As a diehard gamer, I can’t contain my excitement as I gear up for Hearthstone’s upcoming mini-set! This isn’t just any ordinary expansion; it’s a StarCraft crossover that promises to bring the iconic units from Blizzard’s classic sci-fi RTS straight into card form.
Indeed, Blizzard took a daring step by revealing a StarCraft collaboration during their Warcraft’s 30th anniversary stream, which also honored a decade of Hearthstone. This crossover represents the most extensive mini-set Blizzard has ever created for its digital card game, encompassing a total of 49 cards.
To gather more insights, TopMob had a chat with Hearthstone senior game designer Cora Georgiou and game designer Leo Robles Gonzalez before their discussion, delving into their experiences transforming StarCraft into a card game, the imminent updates to Arena, and all the expansions slated for release next year.
According to Gonzalez, since the game has been around for a decade, the development team is aiming to take some risks as the players are excited about seeing fresh content. This is one of the factors that led them to go all out with the upcoming StarCraft mini-set.
As a devoted fan, I find myself venturing into uncharted territories that even the realms of Warcraft have never seen before. It’s an exhilarating journey, and let me tell you, it’s quite a swing!
In this game of StarCraft, various classes will have access to unique heroes specific to each faction. Each faction offers a distinctive deck of cards, some of which are universal and others exclusive to certain classes. For instance, Warriors, Paladins, and Shamans can utilize Jim Raynor and maximize Terran abilities, whereas Death Knights, Hunters, Warlocks, and Demon Hunters can tap into the Zerg swarm with Kerrigan. On the other hand, Mages, Priests, Rogues, and Druids can harness the powers of Artanis, focusing on potent Protoss units that become cheaper with high mana costs.
Gonzalez mentioned that transforming StarCraft into a card game wasn’t drastically different than adapting Warcraft, as both required extensive research. However, the key distinction lay in the fact that instead of focusing on specific characters for card concepts, the team needed to pull inspiration from StarCraft’s well-known units. Moreover, Gonzalez emphasized the significance of preserving the unique gameplay experience that StarCraft offers.
As a gamer, I can tell you that this game has both short-term and long-term strategies, and it was crucial for us to ensure that your overall strategy with one of the three factions truly reflects their unique identities. This is something we didn’t need to ponder much when designing typical Warcraft characters. – Gonzalez
In January 2025, The Heroes of StarCraft mini-set is set to drop, yet the StarCraft crossover was merely the beginning for Hearthstone announcements. Alongside this, Blizzard unveiled a comprehensive 2025 plan that includes three upcoming expansions and a significant transformation in the game’s Arena mode as well.
Starting in the first half of 2025, Blizzard plans to significantly revamp Hearthstone’s premium draft mode, Arena. There will be two versions: a standard one that maintains its current pace but enhances competitive deck-building experiences, and an innovative version called Underground Arena. The latter will cater to players of all skill levels, offering longer runs and a unique feature named “re-draft on loss,” which allows players to reselect cards and modify their decks before another attempt, increasing the chances of winning. Both versions will have separate ranking systems.
Georgiou explained that dividing Arena into two modes was done with the aim of providing a less intimidating starting point for novice players and offering increased complexity and higher risks for seasoned Arena players. At present, the mode is challenging for beginners due to the intense competition it often attracts, as many experienced players have been involved since Hearthstone’s initial release.
Georgiou stated, “We aimed to elevate the ceiling for those seeking more challenge, while simultaneously making adjustments to make the game more accessible and inclusive for a wider range of players.
In the new year, Hearthstone players will journey to a pristine, druidic version of Azeroth in the expansion set called Into the Emerald Dream. This realm is where they’ll fight against the Old Gods’ forces as protectors of the dream. The team at Hearthstone has been saving this idea for a while and always planned to make it an expansion. It was initially scheduled for release last year, but was postponed to prevent conflicting with World of Warcraft: Dragonflight’s Emerald Dream-themed update. The mini-set within the expansion, Druids of the Flame, will introduce a faction of corrupted elemental druids to fuel the flames of battle.
2025 brings an unprecedented twist in Hearthstone history, with The Shrouded City expansion acting as a sequel to the Journey to Un’Goro set from 2017. As a gamer, I’m on the trail of the lost Tortollan city, much like Elise did years ago. Later in this adventure, we’ll experience a mini-set centered around the Tortollan festival. Interestingly, the Hearthstone team created the Tortollan race for the original Un’Goro set (later introduced to World of Warcraft), and this upcoming expansion offers an exciting chance to delve deeper into the Tortollan lore and uncover more secrets hidden within the original Un’Goro expansion.
Georgiou mentioned that the chance to return to such an intriguing location, filled with unexplored mysteries, and view it from a fresh perspective would be incredibly entertaining.
2025 will see the release of the last Hearthstone expansion for the year, titled “Heroes of Time.” This expansion will delve into alternate histories of Azeroth, offering players unique versions of legendary heroes they may not have encountered before. The narrative culminates in a climactic battle against Murozond, the corrupted leader of the Infinite Dragonflight, at the end of time. Considering the focus on the Bronze Dragonflight and Chromie in World of Warcraft lately, it’s somewhat unexpected that Hearthstone hasn’t previously explored alternate timelines to a greater extent. However, this has ultimately proven beneficial for the development team. (Paraphrased from your text)
Gonzalez commented, “It seems like the ideal moment, with a playful wink, to carry out this task, given Hearthstone’s extensive history. There are numerous beloved characters and Warcraft figures that our fans may not be fully familiar with yet, all of which fit into this thematic category. It’s a very rich theme.
In Warcraft-related updates, Blizzard revealed during their broadcast that the refreshed editions of Warcraft 1 and 2, along with a significant 2.0 upgrade for Warcraft 3: Reforged, are all accessible right now.
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2024-11-13 21:39