Hearthstone Not Yet on Consoles Due to Tech Issues

Blizzard is thinking about bringing the game Hearthstone to consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. The game is already on computers and phones. However, there are technical problems to fix and they want to make sure the game works well before releasing it on new devices.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Technology |

Blizzard Entertainment, now under Microsoft's ownership, is contemplating the integration of its popular digital collectible card game, Hearthstone, onto major gaming consoles and handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. While the game is widely available on PC and mobile platforms, its absence from dedicated gaming hardware persists, driven by what Blizzard describes as a need for a high-quality player experience and strategic market timing. The company's stance suggests a careful approach to expanding Hearthstone's reach, weighing the potential benefits against the technical demands of these new platforms.

'There's a Level of Investment We Need': Despite the Popularity of Nintendo Switch and Being Owned By Microsoft, Blizzard Discusses Why Hearthstone Still Isn't on Consoles - 1

Blizzard's Evolving Console Considerations

Blizzard has consistently acknowledged the potential for Hearthstone on consoles, a discussion that has spanned several years. This recurring dialogue, particularly in light of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, has amplified interest in the game's platform expansion.

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'There's a Level of Investment We Need': Despite the Popularity of Nintendo Switch and Being Owned By Microsoft, Blizzard Discusses Why Hearthstone Still Isn't on Consoles - 2

  • Long-Standing Interest: Developers at Blizzard have, since at least 2017, indicated that Hearthstone's inclusion on platforms like the Nintendo Switch was a "discussion worth having" and something they "wouldn't rule out" (Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11).

  • Microsoft's Influence: The acquisition by Microsoft, a company actively pursuing a broad platform strategy ("anything's an Xbox"), has reportedly increased internal impetus to make games playable across a wider range of devices (Articles 3, 4). Nathan Lyons-Smith, Executive Producer for Hearthstone, has directly linked this ownership change to a greater investment in getting games on "as many devices as possible" (Article 3).

  • Market Viability: A key consideration for Blizzard remains the market demand and whether the number of potential console players justifies the development effort (Article 3, 4). The question posed is whether there are "enough players there wanting that beyond who’s going to pull out their phone or their tablet to play" (Article 3).

Technical Challenges and Quality Imperatives

Despite the ongoing discussions and the perceived suitability of certain consoles for Hearthstone's interface, Blizzard emphasizes the technical requirements for a successful console launch.

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'There's a Level of Investment We Need': Despite the Popularity of Nintendo Switch and Being Owned By Microsoft, Blizzard Discusses Why Hearthstone Still Isn't on Consoles - 3

  • Legacy Codebase: The existing Hearthstone codebase is described as old, presenting challenges when adapting it to the specific technical environments of modern consoles and handhelds (Article 1).

  • High Quality Bar: Blizzard's stated goal is to ensure that any console release provides an "awesome" and high-quality experience for players who prefer these form factors. This necessitates a significant investment to ensure the game "feels awesome" and is implemented "right" (Article 1).

  • Controller vs. Touchscreen: While the Nintendo Switch offers a touchscreen, making it a seemingly natural fit for Hearthstone's mechanics, the game's core gameplay has historically been PC and touch-optimized. Adapting this to controller-based input, while possible, requires careful design (Article 2).

Strategic Alignment and Platform Ecosystems

Blizzard's strategic thinking around Hearthstone's platform availability is increasingly influenced by Microsoft's broader vision for its gaming ecosystem.

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  • "Games Playable Anywhere": Microsoft's overarching objective appears to be making games accessible across its various platforms, including PC, Xbox, and mobile devices (Article 3, 16). Hearthstone's integration into more platforms aligns with this "high-level goal" (Article 4).

  • Leveraging Microsoft's Ecosystem: Future explorations into console and handheld versions of Hearthstone are likely to "leverage Microsoft’s expansive platform ecosystem" (Article 4). This could involve greater integration with Xbox services or a unified experience across Microsoft-owned hardware and software.

  • Post-Console Strategy: Microsoft's acquisition strategy, including Activision Blizzard's portfolio, is seen by some analysts as a move towards a "post-console world," emphasizing subscription services like Game Pass and broader accessibility over traditional console hardware sales (Article 12, 16).

Historical Context and Market Positioning

Hearthstone's journey thus far highlights a consistent focus on PC and mobile, with consoles representing a different set of strategic and technical considerations for Blizzard.

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  • Established Platforms: Hearthstone has maintained a strong presence on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android since its inception, platforms that facilitated its growth and accessibility (Articles 3, 10).

  • Past Console Efforts: While Blizzard has had past console successes with titles like Diablo III and Overwatch, Hearthstone has remained an outlier. Previous attempts at console engagement, such as StarCraft 64, were notably infrequent, and the company has historically prioritized PC gaming (Article 5).

  • Nintendo's Unique Position: Nintendo operates differently from Microsoft and Sony, focusing on its unique hardware and gaming experiences. The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is unlikely to fundamentally alter Nintendo's independent strategy or lead to broad platform integration like Xbox Game Pass on Switch (Articles 13, 15, 17).

Conclusion

Blizzard's continued consideration of Hearthstone for consoles, including the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, is a direct consequence of evolving internal priorities, notably influenced by Microsoft's acquisition and its vision for a ubiquitous gaming ecosystem. However, the decision to proceed is contingent on overcoming significant technical hurdles related to the game's established codebase and ensuring a high-quality player experience that meets the elevated standards of console gaming. The company is also meticulously assessing market demand to justify the considerable investment required. Until these conditions are met, Hearthstone's presence will remain confined to PC and mobile devices, with the exact timing of any potential console debut remaining uncertain.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Hearthstone not on consoles like the Nintendo Switch?
Blizzard says there are technical problems with the game's old code. They also want to make sure the game works very well on new devices.
Q: Will Hearthstone ever come to consoles?
Blizzard is thinking about it. Microsoft, which now owns Blizzard, wants games on more devices. But they need to fix the tech issues and see if enough people want it on consoles.
Q: What are the main problems for bringing Hearthstone to consoles?
The game's old code makes it hard to put on new systems. Blizzard also wants the game to feel great and work perfectly for players, which takes time and effort.