Hearthstone has changed the way the industry looks at collectible card games, but it’s also insanely profitable for Blizzard and Team 5.
The information is part of the latest digital card games report from SuperData Research, revealing that the Little Free To Play Card Game That Could is now generating, approximately, an absurd US$20 million a month. “Blizzard’s first digital card game has deep mechanics, but it is more accessible and streamlined than long-running games like Magic: The Gathering,” the market researchers said.
SuperData has coined Hearthstone’s success as history repeating itself. “In 2004, World of WarCraft became the MMO to beat thanks to a combination of the popular WarCraft IP and gameplay that was more accessible than existing MMOs.”
A major key was Hearthstone’s launch on mobile phones and tablets, with SuperData saying the game’s monthly revenue soared by 31%. “Hearthstone has heightened consumer expectations for digital card games. Publishers now need to account for the fact that Hearthstone is many players’ entry point to the genre.”
Question for Blizzard now: can Overwatch be their next Hearthstone?
Comments
16 responses to “Hearthstone Earning Around US$20 Million For Blizzard, SuperData Says”
Overwatch won’t be making anything near that since it won’t be a mobile game.
Even without the mobile platform, people are paying money for the booster packs. Overwatch should be similar to Heroes of the Storm type of payment which probably will not generate as much value but will still earn a big sum.
I’m looking at this and hope that Wizard’s Magic Duals can generate just as much cash. I’ve been wanting a good Magic game online for a long time.
I read a review of it recently, it wasn’t positive. It’s a shame, there hasn’t been a good MTG game since Shandalar.
You should try COCK Magic.
No idea what you’re talking about.
I think that’s code for Crystal Meth
It’s a South Park reference 🙂 I’d link it but I’m scared it’s NSFW with me typing it into a search engine 😛
Fair enough. I stopped watching South Park 15 years ago.
Has it been on that long? Crikey I’m feeling old now :S
Yeah, 1997 I think? Apparently it’s been running for 18 seasons. If the Simpsons ever finishes they might catch up, but from what I hear their production schedule is brutal on everyone involved because they make each episode the same week it airs, scripting and everything.
Shandalar was amazing. It’s actually staggering going back and seeing how good that game was.
Speaking of which, the Microprose M:TG game got me and a friend into Magic proper. I didn’t have the money to play the real card game at the time (did a few years ago) but he did and ended up going overseas on the Pro Tour for a little while. Fun times.
Oh yeah, I loved Shandalar. Being able to wander the world, dueling enemies and acquiring cards, and full deckbuilding flexibility. The number of times over the years I’ve read about the next Duels of the Planeswalkers game and how it still operates on prefab decks, ugh. Makes me want to slap them and tell them to put out a proper game, just once a proper game.
I find it so hard not to spend money on this game! I bought the first adventure which in AU$ was a rip off, but I know once I start using real money for card packs I’ll get sucked in and spend a fortune!
Me too 🙁
Dippa