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Hearthstone is no stranger to change. Between its official launch two years ago and the latest milestone of 50m players, it has been regularly refreshed by drops of new cards. But this week's arrivals of the game's Standard play mode, where only the past two years of cards can be used, and the Whispers of the Old Gods expansion, have uprooted the game in two completely new ways. They have seen Blizzard remove cards from typical play for the first time, but also give a new, all-powerful card away to each and every player. Visit the game's firelit tavern now and you'll find the experience vastly changed from just days ago.The introduction of a Standard mode with only the last two years of cards is a bold move. As its latest player count shows, the collectible card battler is in no immediate danger of flagging. But it has been clear for a while the developer is focused, like a fatigue Warrior player, on protecting itself for the long game. The introduction of an annually-rotating Standard mode means a steady churn of cards into and out of play. It protects against power creep and helps maintain interest. Crucially, it also affords Blizzard the degree of control it needs in order to take bigger risks.
Every expansion has radically changed Hearthstone's metagame - the decks and strategies currently in favour among players. Blizzard uses the arrival of fresh cards to make Hearthstone more interesting, of course, but also to ensure it is better balanced. Expansions address strategies which have become too prevalent, too easy, or new ideas which could do with a helping hand to become competitive. Each addition of new cards also has an overarching theme or mechanic to work around, from Goblins vs Gnomes' influx of mechs to the Deathrattle mechanics of Naxxramas. With Old Gods, it feels like Blizzard has unleashed something similar to all the above but still a different animal entirely.
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