The likely answer: probably both.
I play Hearthstone pretty casually (surprise) and usually hit, but rarely break, rank 20 each month. I put some effort to reach that level (in case I'd like the card back) but typically not great amounts. It can take me a while to hit 20 some months and I think my best ever ranking was maybe 17? It is also something I can play on my phone or tablet to pass the time. I prefer it on my computer but when there, I'd rather be doing something else.
Casual credentials established, the recent announcement about Standard Mode, Wild Mode, and the retirement of some cards kind of disappointed me and highlighted how out of sync I am with the game. It's not that I don't understand the issues with overly powerful cards or the need to keep the game "fresh" and also accessible to new players. I just really dislike the way they are going about it.
Old expansions no longer being available for purchase means unless I craft them, which can be exceptionally hard to get the dust I would need, I will never have some cards. That's pretty disappointing. Not end-of-the-world, gnash-teeth, rend-garment but simply "oh, that sucks." Being unable to collect items in a DIGITAL collection game is pretty weird and annoying.
The limited time* nature of future decks in standard play is also annoying. This is what really inspired my treadmill question. If you want to stay current and have a chance at winning, you'll likely need to have the most recent expansions. And you'll need to stay current or you'll just be left with the basic cards. It's not that you can't win with a basic set, but that you will be at a disadvantage most times.
The game is moving in a direction where you'll need to really keep playing and current with the decks or else be left pretty far behind. And I really don't like that kind of game. I don't want a static world per se, but this constant (and to me quick) change discourages me from investing myself in the game.
If I can't learn, explore, and experience the game at my own pace; if I have to rush through things and stay with the pack or get permanently left behind and miss out on things, that game is probably not for me.
I'm kind of this way about aspects of WoW too. I actually prefer the long gaps between major events and changes because it gives me a chance to play the game the way I like it. I can try different classes and storylines. I can be different races or specs. I can spend time in the game, enjoying it without feeling like I'm permanently missing out on something.
I don't mind if I'll always be behind the pack in a game like this unless that means that I'll NEVER have the chance at something. I have the Core Hound mount from the 10th anniversary event and I hated getting it. Not because the raid was hard. I had a very good and easy raid, actually, and was even lucky enough to even get the pet on my first run though. I hated it because I felt I had to rush to 100 and then I had to get geared up enough to get into the raid. All because it was for a limited time. That wasn't fun to me.
Did anyone that got the mount feel like the fun part of it was the limited time? Does anyone really feel extra special that they have the mount and others don't when it may simply be that the other person didn't have enough time?
I also happen to think that longer gaps give more time to produce good quality games when they finally are released as opposed to...well, Warlords of Draenor.
(Quick note: I, of course, realize that many people prefer a faster pace and want more content to consume faster. This post is not intended to convince them they are wrong**. I'm just examining my own relationship with current gaming and my preferences.)
I fully realize that if the gaming treadmill is speeding up, it may only be by a small amount and it's actually that I'm just slowing down more. Nothing wrong with that but ignoring it or being in denial about it can cause problems.
And I guess that's what I'm trying to grapple with. The path that Blizzard is going with their games, seems to be one that I'm not very interested in following. Obviously, once the multi-billion dollar company sees my post they'll change their ways. Until then, I kind of need to come to terms with what it means that I'm not the target audience anymore and never will be.
Earlier this week, Fiannor had a post or two that also thinking about game audience. Just some more food for thought.
As I said at the beginning, I think it is most likely a combination of the gaming industry just moving faster and me becoming even more resistant to my leisure activities always being rushed. Still, as Blizzard keeps pushing new ideas that they think will keep the game fresh and pull in new people, it's a little sad for me because it seems to end up pushing me out of something I enjoy.
* The card backs are limited time too, which does bother me, but I've
been thus far willing to work within that, since I can use Hearthstone
to pass down time at work or wherever. The card backs are also
unrelated to game play. I won't win or lose based on the card back.
Not having access to current cards, which often have new and more
powerful effects, that does impact game play.
** Which of course, they are :P
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