It has been nearly nine years since Hearthstone released, 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, Hearthstone even 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, Hearthstone is still doing well.
Yet, some Hearthstone players have concerns about the future of the TCG. Hearthstone recently 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.
Hearthstone Esports in 2023
The esports scene in Hearthstone for 2023 is 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 for Hearthstone esports 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 of Hearthstone esports in 2023. Over the last three years, Hearthstone had a special deal with YouTube that restricted its events to the streaming platform, which restricted viewership. The dissolution of Blizzard and NetEase's partnership almost certainly played a factor too, considering China often had a big representation at Hearthstone events. Many professional players are already deciding not to compete this year, on top of the Chinese Hearthstone servers being are indefinitely closed. If this year’s events don’t do well, it wouldn't be surprising if Hearthstone cuts the program entirely.
Less Esports Point to a Potentially Grim Future for Hearthstone
Some esports 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 of Hearthstone.
In 2018, Blizzard brought an end to official esports events for Heroes of the Storm, its MOBA competitor to League of Legends and Dota 2. Over the next several years, Blizzard gradually weaned off support for Heroes of the Storm until finally putting it into maintenance mode in July 2022. Though the game is still playable and has a modest community, Heroes of the Storm is no longer receiving new content. Hearthstone might be headed down the same road.
With no confirmation of a 2024 esports season for Hearthstone, many players fear it may end official esports events altogether like with Heroes of the Storm. If the lack of a professional competitive scene drains interest and revenue from Hearthstone, new content could likewise start to slow - or even stop completely.
Hearthstone Can Survive, With or Without Esports
That said, there is no reason to start panicking about Hearthstone quite yet. In its 2023 esports announcement, Blizzard said the scope and success of Hearthstone and its esports program are separate. It confirmed the game still has long-term plans, including the recent Hearthstone Creator Program. The TCG still 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 as Hearthstone Esports turns 10." Clearly Blizzard hopes to continue Hearthstone esports into the future, and with its exclusivity deal with YouTube now over, esports competitions for Hearthstone can be streamed on Twitch again, which will hopefully expand viewership.
It is possible that a windfall of support for Hearthstone esports could revive the program, so fans should tune in to show their support. In the past, Hearthstone has 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 support Hearthstone. But regardless of the success of its esports program, Hearthstone seems 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, Hearthstone is inching towards its 10-year anniversary. As a live-service game, the possibility of Hearthstone entering maintenance mode is ever-present and only increases with every year. Hopefully, Hearthstone revenue doesn't start to decline so fans can keep enjoying the TCG - and its esports events - for years to come.
Hearthstone is available now for Mobile and PC.