Hearthstone
News, coverage and analysis tracking Hearthstone across the outlets.
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Hearthstone adds rule-breaking cards and sneaky mechanics with Escape from Violet Hold expansion
Hearthstone has released its new expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, introducing rule-breaking minion cards, the Prepare keyword, disguised minions, and bribe cards. The update also includes new arena mode rewards, events, and the return of the Darkmoon Faire.
Blizzard eliminates 'small number' of roles in China
Blizzard Entertainment has eliminated a small number of roles in China as part of an operational model evolution in the region. Studio president Johanna Faries stated these changes are intended to strengthen regional publishing and product management capabilities. This news follows broader layoffs announced by Xbox, impacting thousands of employees across Microsoft's gaming division.
Evening Reading - July 7, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including IO Interactive regaining ownership of Project Fantasy and announcing layoffs, PlayStation facing complaints about its disc controversy, and updates on Marvel Rivals and Guilty Gear Strive. The article also highlights indie game Cosmodrill and discusses the broader gaming industry landscape.
Hearthstone: Escape From Violet Hold Out Today – Discover the Game’s Enduring Life Lessons
The digital card game Hearthstone, with its new expansion Escape From Violet Hold, offers players valuable life lessons in resilience, flexibility, and staying calm under pressure. The article explores how navigating challenging in-game situations mirrors real-life problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of not conceding too early, adapting plans, and avoiding panic.
Hearthstone: Escape from Violet Hold - 10 decks to try on Day 1
The Hearthstone expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, has launched, adding 145 new cards and unique mechanics. This guide provides analysis and deck suggestions from professional players and streamers for players to try on the first day of the expansion's release.
Hearthstone refreshes its reward track while rolling out the pre-release for Escape from Violet Hold
Hearthstone is launching its next expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, on July 7th, accompanied by a pre-release tavern brawl and an updated reward track. Players can also look forward to new cards, skins featuring Maiev Shadowmoon, and event rewards.
Someone is playing World of Warcraft Classic on their mobile. Yes, they're a heathen.
A Reddit user has successfully streamed World of Warcraft Classic to a mobile device using Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service. While the setup is described as 'cursed' and features a non-customizable interface with some latency, the user found it surprisingly enjoyable. This development raises questions about the future of MMORPGs on mobile platforms, especially with other titles like Final Fantasy XIV Mobile in development.
New Guild Wars card game “Mistbound” announced
ArenaNet and NC Corporation have announced Mistbound, a new collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe for mobile and PC. The game features a dynamic 5x3 grid with directional movement for units and commanders, offering deep strategic gameplay inspired by Guild Wars 2's professions. Mistbound will be free-to-play with monetization hooks similar to other live service titles.
The MOP Up: Albion Online teases a new July event
Albion Online is teasing a new event called "Keeper Uprising" for Guild Season 33 starting July 4th, featuring special missions and rewards. This roundup also includes updates from RuneScape, Neverwinter, Entropia Universe, Dungeon Fighter Online, La Tale, Myth of Empires: Throne, Hearthstone, Cave Crave, MapleStory: Idle RPG, Star Trek Online, Mimesis, MechWarrior 5 Mercenaries, MechWarrior Online, Marathon, Persist Online, Planet Crafter, and Teamfight Tactics, covering new content, events, patches, and business changes.
Hearthstone card reveal - Shaman gets a new weapon card that's both versatile and terrifying
Blizzard Entertainment has revealed a new Legendary Shaman weapon card, Tiny Pal, for the upcoming Hearthstone expansion, Escape from Violet Hold. This versatile weapon, launching July 7, offers four distinct elemental ammunition effects after each attack, including Freeze, AoE damage, summoning a Taunt minion, or generating a discounted Battlecry minion. The expansion will introduce new keywords like Prepare, Disguise, and Bribe.
Overwatch tries to reduce an anniversary event title grind, Hearthstone unveils its next expansion
Blizzard Entertainment has announced adjustments to the Overwatch 10th anniversary event, reducing the number of challenges required to earn the table flip emote from 48 to 38. Additionally, Hearthstone's next expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, is set to launch on July 7th, introducing new rulebreaker minions, the 'prepare' keyword, and disguised minions.
Hearthstone “Escape From Violet Hold” Card Reveal: Breaking Out Of Zuramat’s Prison
A new Hearthstone card, Zuramat's Prison, has been revealed for the upcoming "Escape From Violet Hold" expansion, set to launch on July 7. This Location card allows players to discard a card to summon a 5/5 minion and eventually frees the powerful 8/8 minion Zuramat the Obliterator. The expansion will also introduce a new "Prepare" keyword and "Rulebreaker" minions, alongside in-game events and updates to the Battlegrounds mode.
Escape from Violet Hold is Hearthstone's second expansion of 2026
Hearthstone's second expansion of 2026 will be titled Escape from Violet Hold, featuring Vanessa VanCleef and her pirate gang. This expansion introduces new content and themes to the popular digital card game.
Hearthstone’s Escape From Violet Hold Arrives July 7
Hearthstone: Escape From Violet Hold is set to launch on July 7. This new content for the digital card game Hearthstone will be available on PC and mobile devices.
Break the Rules in Escape from Violet Hold, Hearthstone’s Next Expansion
Hearthstone's next expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, launches on July 7 and introduces new mechanics that break core game rules, such as running duplicate Legendaries and drawing extra cards. The expansion features a prison break theme with characters like Vanessa VanCleef and Warden Maiev Shadowsong, and introduces new keywords like 'Prepare' and mechanics like 'Disguised' minions and 'Bribe' cards. Players can claim free cards and participate in a pre-release Tavern Brawl starting June 30.
Riftbound set rotation confirmed via Dave Guskin interview with Rich Phu
Riftbound game director Dave Guskin detailed the physical trading card game's set rotation system in an interview with Rich Phu. The first rotation will occur with Set 10 in early 2028, removing Proving Grounds, Origins, and all 2026 sets. Riot Games plans to maintain a separate format for older cards to preserve collector value and player investment.
Heroes of the Storm and Hearthstone tackle balance, Overwatch features evil science in latest lore vid
Blizzard Entertainment has released minor updates for several of its games. Heroes of the Storm received a balance patch for the Haunted Mines map and hero adjustments, while Hearthstone's patch focuses on class set impact, event cards, and Battlegrounds. Overwatch released a new lore video featuring the villainous scientist Moira.
The MOP Up: V Rising mulls over a new patch
Stunlock Studios is gathering player feedback for an upcoming balance and bug-fix patch for V Rising. This roundup also includes news on updates for Villagers and Heroes, The Elder Scrolls Online, MechWarrior Online, and Apex Legends, among others.
The MOP Up: Subnautica 2 just says no to gen AI
Unknown Worlds has confirmed that Subnautica 2 will not use generative AI, with all development being handled by traditional methods. The article also rounds up other recent gaming news, including delays for MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, updates for Dungeon Fighter Online and SMITE 2, and new content for Hearthstone and PSO2.
MMO Week in Review: Evercold, Aion 2, and EQ Legends
This week in the MMORPG genre saw the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion for January 2027, alongside confirmations for Aion 2's global launch this year. Several other titles like Embers of the Uncrowned, RF Online Next, Palia, EverQuest Legends, and Loftia also had significant updates or beta launches.