Blizzard eliminates the paid option for loot boxes in Heroes of the Storm. The patch notes for the current update show that you no longer need Gems to purchase the boxes. Players are now fearing that this could be the beginning of the end for the MOBA.
What has Blizzard announced? The patch notes from March 18 state that loot boxes in Heroes of the Storm can no longer be purchased with the premium currency Gems. Instead, they can now only be acquired with Gold that you earn.
Blizzard has not provided an explanation. It does not appear to be a temporary change, but rather a permanent one.
A very big change
What do the loot boxes offer? In the boxes, you can find the following:
- Common items such as sprays and emojis.
- Rare items such as common skins and mounts.
- Epic items, including new heroes, special skins, and mounts as well as announcer packs.
- Legendary items such as the latest heroes, as well as special skins and mounts.
Will there still be loot boxes? Yes. You can still earn the boxes or purchase them with Gold. Only the option to buy loot boxes with Gems will be removed.
What does this mean for HotS? The game loses its gambling character, as loot boxes have often been referred to as gambling in the community. However, Blizzard is also losing a revenue source for the MOBA.
How will HotS continue to be funded?
How are players reacting? The community’s opinion is divided. Some are happy about it, as they generally do not like loot boxes, especially when they can be purchased with real money.
- yoloswagrofl writes on Reddit: “This is fantastic! I’m so glad the community is being heard.”
- tzucon comments: “The decision is probably related to recent investigations regarding gambling and loot boxes in some countries. I don’t think Blizzard wants to get on the radar of authorities.”
Others are wondering how Blizzard will now make money for the ongoing development of Heroes of the Storm, especially since the MOBA has not been performing well for a long time.
- Shadowdragonuniverse says: “Removing the paid option for the boxes could lead to HotS being discontinued, as it surely won’t generate as much revenue as WoW or Overwatch.”
- joetothejack disagrees, stating: “It’s a stroke of genius from Blizzard. Players will now buy boxes, mounts, and announcers with in-game Gold and spend their money on new heroes.”
How this change will affect Heroes of the Storm in the long term remains to be seen. The future of the game does not look too bright:
