Hearthstone finally makes its way to iOS and Android phones
The long wait is finally over as Blizzard Entertainment has officially released a phone version of its hugely successful card battle game, Hearthstone. The 1v1 game that started out on PC has already been available on iPad and Android tablets, and now Blizzard is making sure that you will never escape the addiction, no matter where you are.
“We’re excited to welcome mobile gamers to the Hearthstone community,” Blizzard CEO and Co-Founder Mike Morhaime said. “Hearthstone’s quick, super-accessible gameplay is perfect for gaming on the go, and with the mobile versions it’s incredibly easy to jump into a match and have some fun.”
The new mobile version features a slightly different layout tailored for small screen real estate, but otherwise it is completely identical to the full PC version. Players connect to the game using Blizzard’s Battle.net account system, which allows them to switch between multiple platforms while still keeping the same cards and win record.
Hearthstone’s simple yet deep mechanics have already made the 1v1 game a big hit in esports, with tens of thousands of people turning in to Twitch livestreams of the game every day. Several esports leagues also host highly competitive professional tournaments, and Blizzard’s official Hearthstone World Championship featured a cash prize of up to $250,000.
The game uses a free-to-play payment model that allows players to use real money to buy card packs, which contain a random assortment of cards. Players can also buy card packs with in-game currency, which is earned by competing in card battles and completing quests. Rare cards can sometimes be found in the packs, or they can be crafted by materials gained through destroying less valuable cards.
Players who finish one game using the new mobile version will also be given a free card pack.
Screenshot by Eric David
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