https://www.reddit.com/r/hearthstone/comments/1l3tpbe/longtime_arena_player_here_this_new_system_feels/
In regards to how to post a link without having to add a space, just highlight the link, then click on the gear symbol at the top right, then select preformatted text, which will add a ` to the beginning and end of the link.
I am going to post quotes from the Reddit Link, so that I can respond to them.
“Key Issues:
“1. Unstable and Unrewarding Economy
The removal of consistent gold rewards makes Arena unsustainable for most players. Without the ability to earn back the entry cost (even partially), many players – especially those who used Arena as a long-term F2P path – now find themselves discouraged from engaging.
Even achieving above-average win rates (e.g. 5+ wins per run) often results in less value than the entry cost. And the rare chance to earn 2000 gold in Underground Arena is too low to compensate for the high risk.”
I have not played The Underground yet, but this ^ seems spot on.
“2. MMR and Matchmaking Uncertainty
With the new system, matchmaking feels increasingly punishing. Players are facing off against others who may already have multiple defeats and are drafting “upgraded” decks. This creates hidden inequalities in each run, making performance harder to predict or control.”
Ya, but since all losers, get an opportunity to re-draft, it seems fair to me. This approach of re-drafting 5 cards after a loss seems like an attempt to addresses some of the issues with barcoders and super-drafters.
“3. Lack of Player Agency or Opt-Out
The new Arena is not optional. There is no way to return to the previous classic Arena mode. Many of us would happily keep playing that version even with fewer rewards, simply because the format was clear, skill-based, and economically fair.”
This issue is caused by an obvious push for both increased monetization of Arena and to incentivize players to play more standard by giving them more packs and dust to use in Standard.
The problem with this approach by the devs is that the work around to getting more gold to fund Arena runs is simply to make more accounts to gain access to more quests to get more gold. The new system incentivizes players who have no interest constructed modes to make extra accounts.
Whereas, if they gave a little more gold, there would be some players who not bother with making additional accounts and who would spend some money on occasion to buy some additional Arena runs. The new greed may actually backfire to the point where Arena makes even less money, but that can still benefit Blizzard, if more players become more invested in playing Standard, triggering some players to spend more money on Standard.
Blizzard devs tend to be narrow minded, and they have always attempted funnel the diversity of their gaming community into a single format or type of playing activity, whether that be end-game raiding in WoW or Standard in HS. Unfortunately, this approach often cause players to leave when other aspects of the game are intentionally made less fun in order to herd players to the mode and kind of spending that the devs want players to engage in.
“Suggestions:
- Consider reintroducing stable gold rewards, at least for classic Arena.”
I agree, which is why I suggested that they give some gold rewards for Arena starting at 4 wins. The Underground gives gold at three wins, but gold rewards need to be increased, considering the new 2x higher entry cost. There should be no chance of gold rewards for zero wins, because barcoders and players that indulge in retiring runs while looking for a god-draft should not earn gold for this behavior.
“Arena used to be one of the purest forms of gameplay Hearthstone had — no netdecking, no whales, just knowledge and skill. I sincerely hope the developers will listen to the Arena community before this mode loses the last of its loyal players.”
Yes and no. While not understood by most players, Arena has always been impacted by barcoders, who are the “whales” of Arena, since they paid to gain access to better decks to stomp normal players with.
Arena often provides a more diverse and interactive play experience than constructed formats do, but this will be diminished somewhat by how heavily curated the card pool is now.