Yes, I know there are multiple threads regarding this topic. Rather than address them as they repeatedly pop up (on top of the ongoing discussion within them) I’ve elected to make one “endcap” thread for it since we now have an official statement from Dave Kosak on the matter.
Found an article with direct comments from Dave Kosak regarding the new art changes. Nothing to do with China according to Blizz.
Full article:
A couple excerpts:
In this case, however, China had nothing to do with it. Lead mission designer Dave Kosak told us that after reviewing the full Hearthstone set, Blizzard decided that the art on some of the cards simply didn’t meet its standards, and that Blizzard “wouldn’t print those same cards today.”
“We went back and really just brought everything up to our standards,” Kosak said. “It wasn’t because we were looking at ratings, or international [regulations], or anything like that. We really just wanted our artists to feel good about everything in the set.”
Succubus underwent the most complete transformation: The stats and effect are the same, but the sexy cruel demons who “slake their lust with coupling” are out, and pack-hunting “demonic beasts” are in. Mistress of Pain (now Queen of Pain), Secretkeeper, and Windfury Harpy have also had the sexy factor dialed back, while Bite, Eviscerate, and Deadly Shot are now less graphically violent.
Kosak confirmed that some of the changes were aimed at toning down the portrayals of sex and violence in the game (although designer Liv Breeden noted that one card, Headcrack, was updated because it was just too dark and hard to read) but emphasized that the decision was driven not by external forces, but “just kind of bringing it up to the standards we felt really good about today.”
Given some more glances and conversation yeah, this seems a bit off. At least we have the “official story” that they’ll be sticking to which I’m sure will be used to justify any further changes.
“I mean yes… they brought them up to their standards… standards which are dictated by the international marketplace.”
he isn’t wrong about his position… seems like classic ‘doublespeak’ to me but… again… I admit that I am taking an assumption here on the reason why. I could easily be wrong and I can accept, if needed, being in the minority.
Huh. I stand corrected, I guess? I mean, I can see the argument that not directly influenced by Chinese regulation leaves open the possibility of indirect influence, but that’s a bit too much confirmation bias for my taste.
On the other hand (and bouncing off what TheRiddler mentioned in another thread), I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re amping up the “children’s card game” aesthetic because it makes it more palatable to parents of kids who might not be able to afford as many packs on their own.
I mean you just have to look at eviscerate to realise that he’s lying through his teeth. How you call this a win is just naive. I actually don’t care but the changes are clearly to appease the chinese regulations. The fact that every art change made either tones down lude art work or removes blood or violence is merely coincidence? I doubt it.
As was brought up in another convo, I find it strange that Eviscerate was too violent with a single small splay, while Whirlwind has an armorkini and spinning gore all in one card.
Oh, its just the beginning, that much is certain. This is the comment that gets me:
So, a game which is based on the principle of, you know, KILLING your opponent cant portray violence??? What the hell sort of sense does that make? Just close the servers if thats your agenda!
Most people don’t consider chess to be violent, even though it’s supposed to simulate ancient/medieval combat. Same principle applies to Hearthstone, I assume. You also have to consider that what counts as too much violence or sex is rarely logical: see, for example, the kinds of movies that are rated PG-13 vs, R.
People don’t need more reasons to play Control Warrior.
I was never been impressed by how the B-company handles such communications.
People will still keep speculating and continue debating till their energy runs out, because statements are send that are easily open to different interpretations.
One key aspect is to define Standards. Standard, criterion refer to the basis for making a judgment.
Players are easily annoyed when one “standard” that applies in one case and not another. They can’t rationalize and comprehend.
My guess is that they don’t expect much to come from this. Sure, people will spend time and energy arguing about this, but how many people are really going to quit over this? Some, sure. I doubt it’ll be a sizeable number. Some people might do a soft boycott and quit for a few months, or try to go F2P (which has its own issues in terms of undermining Hearthstone’s finances). My guess is that most of these people will eventually get used to the new normal and return to their old patterns of usage/spending.
Maybe that’s what Ubisoft did wrong, announcing things before the change. If you announce it as the change rolls out, it’s already done and resistance is less likely.
I have seen some R rated movies which, by my standards, would easily fit in the PG-13 rating, Pulp Fiction being the first that comes to mind. I’d allow my 11 yr old to watch FAR before the likes of Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland (originals), they are the true definition of nightmare inducing (horror) movies for preteen kids, not some chick getting stabbed in the heart with a syringe.
Am I a bad parent?!? Maybe. I am also one who lives in the western world, and sometimes the more “innocent” movies, using your comparison, are far more traumatic experiences on young people than the more “graphic” ones are.
Don’t care about sex or violence. Im more interested in systems, so the whole game could be care bears and id be okay. But art is more than just the company image and what not.
I play on mobile. The art is 99% of how i quickly identify cards. So screwing with that really sucks for me. Some changes, like secret keeper, are fine. The general pallet and arrangement of colors is the same. Still easy to identify. Succubus? Not cool. That crap looks like any one of the fel dogs summoned by the portal guys or by Rin. Dunno what the right answer is there…but i sure would love it if they never made such huge changes again.
The art and card memory are one of the things i thought blizzard did best. Each one is very distinguishable. Lets keep doing that and not screwing it up.
Just wanna make it even more abundantly clear that Blizzard cares more about maintaining that G rating then they do about balancing decks like Big Priest and Odd Paladin.
They shown that, given the 2 options, they’d prefer to keep a 12+ age rating on the AppStore, rather the improve the actual gameplay experience.
Again how come Garrosh and Malfurion wasn’t changed? They are either all okay or none of them are okay. Blizzard really is actually blind. This has got to be the worst possible defense they could have had
Well, I don’t think devs would say “we did it to increase the range of our market” (thus making the game more appealing to both minors and “other countries which might have presented implementation problems due to their legislation”, which sounds like the most reasonable reason to me) but then again, sure, why not; didn’t meet yer Standards.
Now would you kindly raise your standards and get to change Malygos’s artwork? Cause it’s just dumb, from any standard.
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