Hearthstonejust revealed its esports structure for 2023, and significant reductions to the program has players worried.Hearthstonedrastically scaling back its esports program has given many players concerns over the longevity of the game.
Esports inHearthstonehas historically been one of the most exciting and competitive parts of Blizzard’s digital TCG. In 2022,Hearthstoneesports featured a total prize pool of $3 million spread across more than a dozen events. This year,Hearthstoneonly has seven events with a total prize pool of $650,000 dollars–nearly five times less than last year.
RELATED:Hearthstone Players are Not Happy with the Heroic Tavern Brawl
ThisHearthstoneesports cycle will consist of three Masters Tour Seasonal Championships leading into the 2023 World Championship. The World Championship will have a prize pool of $500,000, but the Masters Tours themselves will not have any prizes for the victors beyond qualifications for the final contest. The remaining $150,000 will be split amongthreeHearthstoneBattlegrounds: Lobby Legends tournaments, each coordinating with one of the card sets coming toHearthstonethis year.
This drastic reduction toward the esports program has come at shock and disappointment to bothHearthstoneplayers and developers alike. SeveralHearthstonecasters and devs have voiced their displeasure in what ways they can without risking their careers.Hearthstonesenior game designer and initial design lead Cora Georgiouandfeatures lead Chad “Celestalon” Nervig were among those who expressed their frustration and sadness on their personal Twitter accounts.
Fans are devastated overHearthstone’srecent announcement, and fear for the game’s future. Many competitive players are angry they won’t have the chance to earn a prize unless they make it to the World Championships, and believe dropping money to keep up with StandardHearthstoneis no longer worth it. Others noted thebreakdown of NetEase and Blizzard’s partnershipalso likely played a role in this reduction. The FAQHearthstoneincluded in the announcement did little to assuage player fears, and many believe the TCG may be on its way to retirement likeHeroes of the Storm.
Some players hopeHearthstoneis able to breathe life back into its esports program. In the past,Hearthstonesold special cosmeticsand card bundles to help contribute to esports prize pools, and many would love Blizzard to bring these back so they can support competitive play. Others think it would be better forHearthstoneto reduce the World Championship pool and to add prizes to the Masters Tours. As it stands, if this reduction could be a bad sign forHearthstone’s future.
Hearthstoneis available now for Mobile and PC.
