Blizzard Discusses Investment Needs for Bringing Hearthstone to Consoles

Blizzard Entertainment has addressed the ongoing absence of its collectible card game, Hearthstone, on console platforms. Executive producer Nathan Lyons-Smith emphasized that the development team requires a substantial investment to ensure a successful port. Lyons-Smith explained that the game's code is aging, with estimates suggesting it is around 16 years old. This presents a challenge as any console adaptation must be executed properly, and the team is committed to waiting for the appropriate moment to undertake the task. "There's a level of investment that we need to make that happen, primarily in terms of UI and UX, ensuring that it feels natural to play a card game on those platforms," Lyons-Smith noted. He referenced the successful adaptation of Magic: The Gathering's Duels of the Planeswalkers as evidence that a well-executed console version is feasible. Furthermore, Lyons-Smith revealed that an engineer who has worked on Hearthstone for many years pointed out the considerable age of the codebase, which was developed when the project had a much smaller team. He expressed a desire to ensure that any future console version feels exceptional rather than a mere port. Hearthstone made its debut in 2014 on PC, followed closely by mobile devices, yet calls for a console release, especially on the Nintendo Switch for its portability, have gone unanswered. Game director Tyler Bielman added that if Hearthstone were to be adapted for living room play, it would be essential to optimize the experience for that format. With Blizzard now under the ownership of Xbox and Microsoft, there may be increased expectations to bring this popular card game to consoles. The overarching goal of Xbox is to allow gamers to access their favorite titles from anywhere, and the Hearthstone team recognizes the importance of reaching a broader audience across various platforms. "In the future, as we explore console and handheld options, we'd aim to go as wide as possible," Lyons-Smith stated. He acknowledged the shift in ownership over the past few years and highlighted the current focus on making games available across multiple platforms. Hearthstone is set to release its Cataclysm-themed expansion on March 17, which will feature the return of Colossal cards and introduce a new storyline.