Hearthstone Devs Talk Making the Perils in Paradise Expansion

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Hearthstone Devs Talk Making the Perils in Paradise Expansion

As a long-time Hearthstone player and now leading the team behind this beloved game, I feel incredibly fortunate and humbled. Having been a part of the community since beta, I’ve grown with the game, and it holds a special place in my heart. It’s an honor to work on something that has brought joy and entertainment to millions for a decade.

The upcoming Hearthstone expansion, named Perils in Paradise, is set to launch on July 23. However, the cards from this new set will become available in Arena a few days earlier. In this expansion, players are invited to the idyllic Spiral Isles and the luxurious resort of Marin. The rest of the Hearthstone universe seems to be enjoying a relaxing vacation. But, things aren’t as peaceful on the islands as they seem; pirates and other intrigues are causing turbulence.

Recently, Game Rant had the opportunity to chat with Hearthstone’s director Tyler Bielman and executive producer Nathan Lyons-Smith at Blizzard Entertainment’s Irvine campus. During our conversation, we delved into the intricacies of creating Perils in Paradise, discussing both its top-down and bottom-up development stages. We also explored the origins of Tourists and the concept of “Hearthstone on vacation.” Please note that this transcript has been revised for improved understanding and succinctness.

Making Hearthstone’s Peril in Paradise Expansion

Q: How did the team settle on the idea of a vacation-themed expansion for Hearthstone?


Bielman explained that they had numerous sets and themes under consideration in Hearthstone, all showing great potential. Through focus group testing, they gained valuable insights, even though it didn’t make the final decision. Initially, this project began as a pirate-themed expansion, which performed well in tests. However, upon further exploration, the team felt that pirates and swashbuckling might not offer enough versatility and scope to accommodate the desired classes. Therefore, they brainstormed alternative concepts for Hearthstone, such as western or murder mystery themes.

The idea of Hearthstone on vacation came up as you were thinking about pirates and boats and water, and it naturally evolved from there. As soon as it was Hearthstone on vacation, the ideas just came flooding in from a thematic point of view. I also like it because it’s a very accessible theme. Not all of us were around in the Wild West. I’m old, but I’m not that old. Vacations and holidays are things we all can identify with. We can identify with cool destinations, identify with drinks that you get on vacation, and what it’s like being a tourist. That’s kind of how it flowed. We went from the core idea of pirates into something broader and fell in love with the idea of Hearthstone on vacation, which I think comes through — especially in the amazing art and humor.

A: How did we go about choosing and specifying the details such as drinks and destinations for our vacation?

Bielman: Yeah, there are generally two ways that this stuff sort of evolves: top-down or bottom-up. Top-down is where you have a theme, creative idea, or what-if, and then you figure out how to express that mechanically in the set through the available rule sets. The top-down is Hearthstone on vacation, but the bottom-up is…I’ll just give you an example. For Tourists, we’ve done dual-class things in Hearthstone before, but in a lot of cases, they were somewhat mitigated versions, right? It had to feel a little bit like Class A and a little bit like Class B, and it can’t be too hard one way or the other. What we got excited about–and have been for a while–is the idea of a dual-class deck-building set where you can grab a real Mage card or a real Rogue card that you can bring into a deck and that gives you a two-class deck in a real specific way.

From my perspective as an enthusiast, the initial thought was to merge elements of Tourists with something else. The desire was to create dual classes, and once we had that concept in hand, we pondered over how to effectively implement it. We eventually discovered a fitting place for this idea within Perils in Paradise. This approach carried over to other aspects, such as themes and consumables. So, what better way to indulge on your vacation than with vibrant drinks? It’s all about the blend of top-down planning and bottom-up innovation.

A: You mentioned the concept of a tourist briefly, but I’m interested in exploring the equilibrium and progression of this notion further. This shift represents a significant transformation.

The concept of Tourists went through various transformations. At one stage, it encompassed more than just cards from the Perils in Paradise collection. However, it became apparent that maintaining an equilibrium would be extremely challenging, if not impossible. Despite this realization, the team was determined to delve deeper into the notion of a genuine dual-class deck. We eventually scaled down our efforts and focused solely on the Perils in Paradise set, enabling us to ensure that the card interactions were harmonious. Similarly, Tourists used to unlock numerous classes, but we narrowed it down and identified the optimal Hearthstone class pairings. It was crucial for us to discover non-obvious combinations and seek out synergies between cards.

We’re thrilled to provide greater compatibility between decks in Standard than ever before. As the game strategy develops, we anticipate the emergence of distinct playstyles. Moreover, as the game strategy shifts, players will have the ability to explore responses from other classes to address current trends. Balancing these changes poses a complex challenge, but also an intriguing one. While we’re confident in our adjustments, a balance patch is scheduled two weeks after launch to ensure a robust and vibrant meta.

A: In response to your first part of the question, I mentioned the benefits of combining Tourist classes and synergies between them. As for your second question, the rationale behind turning a Paladin into a Rogue might seem unusual, but it can offer unique strategic advantages in certain game scenarios.

Bielman: Yes, those are the main elements, aren’t they? Firstly, it should be surprising, catching us off guard with its unexpectedness, excitement, and feeling of unease. Secondly, there isn’t a fixed approach, but rather an exploration of fresh character types.

A: I’d be happy to talk about the design and use of drink servers and travel agents. These items bring me great joy!

As a fan of Bielman’s game design, I can tell you that their thematic elements are a product of an internal crowdsourcing process. Our creative team is young, energetic, and pop culture-savvy, always eager to reference other games and add a dose of humor with cheeky flavor text. If you take the time to explore, you’ll discover plenty of amusing tidbits.

In summary, the lead designer serves as the keeper of the project vision for the set. While they take into account our leadership team’s goals, they hold significant creative power in shaping the development, design, and final outcome of the set. I doubt one person could be that comedic. Regarding those cards, it’s essential to approach them from a grassroots perspective. So, what role does the tour guide play? It’s about sharing a beverage with us. We need to determine the appropriate name or action for that element.

Hearthstone’s Perils in Paradise Expansion Comes at an Important Time

Have there been any memorable moments during the production process that stand out as significant milestones for the entire project?

As a long-time fan of Hearthstone and pirates, I was thrilled when Tyler mentioned that the new expansion would be pirate-themed. Design’s proposal to explore this concept further resonated with me, as pirates have always been a beloved element in the game. The excitement was palpable within the team, and I could sense the potential for something truly special.

From a gamer’s perspective, I found this process intriguing as a developer, since I’m accustomed to creating software, developing it, and releasing it. However, marketing and logistics are not my forte, so I heavily rely on Cathy for that. It seemed daunting to me, but she assured me, “No worries, we’ve got this covered.” We even hired an agency to handle the filming, and Cathy was there on-site with her team, ensuring a successful launch. This strategic move to create something distinct really resonated with players and content creators, making Hearthstone stand out after a decade in the market. Our goal is to keep innovating and delivering fresh experiences for players.

As a long-time Hearthstone gamer, reaching the 10-year milestone feels surreal. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been part of this vibrant community for so long, and I can’t help but marvel at how much the game has evolved over the years. With each new expansion and update, my excitement is rekindled, and I feel a renewed sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. The journey has been incredible so far, and I’m eager to continue exploring the vast world of Hearthstone, both as a player and a member of this dedicated community.

As a devoted fan who’s been part of the Hearthstone community since its early beginnings, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. With over a decade of experience under my belt as a player, I recently joined the Blizzard team responsible for this beloved game. It’s an honor to lead such a talented team that brings joy to millions of players worldwide.

In simpler terms, the team behind Hearthstone consistently comes up with new and entertaining ideas based on player feedback, and they work hard to bring those concepts to life. Their goal is to ensure another decade of Hearthstone’s success, focusing primarily on Constructed, Battlegrounds, and Arena modes due to high player engagement. They also experiment with potential new features through internal testing, eventually sharing them with the community if well-received. Despite the abundance of ideas, not all can be implemented right away, but the team remains dedicated to exploring what’s next for Hearthstone.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! As someone who has been eagerly anticipating the upcoming launch of the new cards in Arena, I can hardly contain my excitement. In just a week from now, we’ll have the opportunity to play around with these new additions before the official launch. It’s going to be an incredible experience, almost like being among the first to explore uncharted territory.

I’ve had the privilege of working with a vibrant community that never fails to surprise me with their insights and feedback. Their unwavering support and engagement are truly invaluable to us as a team. I want to express my deepest gratitude for every single contribution, no matter how small it may seem. We have dedicated individuals who tirelessly seek out this feedback, summarize it, and pass it on to the rest of the team.

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2024-07-15 23:14