Hearthstone fans rejoice. Spectator Mode is coming, and will be here soon.
In an announcement about the mega-popular card game produced by Blizzard, e-Sports manager Kim Phan revealed that they’re looking to add several new implementations into the game, many of which have been highly requested from Beta’s initial launch.
And while Phan was mute on the specifics regarding most of said-implementations, one that was referred to by name was the much-anticipated spectator mode. A mode which will allow players to observe their friend’s duels (while rooting against them, of course) and experience the battle first-hand.
One has to wonder if Blizzard will follow Riot’s lead and make spectator mode utilize a 3-minute delay. Personally, I don’t see any reason as to why friends of players couldn’t watch the games live, so long as all cards on the board are hidden from view at any given time. Such an implementation would give Hearthstone’s spectator mode a great edge over League of Legends, the massively popular MOBA game that shares many of its users with Hearthstone.
When asked about whether or not the spectator mode would come with the 2014 release date that Blizzard has scheduled Phan expressed doubt; suggesting that, while the game most likely won’t have a spectator mode upon initial release, it will have one shortly there-after, as it’s something that the Hearthstone team is working very hard on in order to get it out into the game as soon as possible.
I for-one am thrilled about this announcement. Spectator Mode is one of two changes that I’d like to see added to the game in order to make it a more interesting experience; with the other being the implementation of team matches, allowing friends to join teams with one another in order to face other teams in 2v2 or even 3v3 combat.
Either way, I’m happy to see the team at Blizzard is working hard to make this game as good as it can possible be. I think I speak for everyone when I say that release day can’t come soon enough.
What do you think about having Spectator Mode in Hearthstone? Do you like idea of your friends watching your matches? Let us know in the comment section, or start a Hearthstone discussion in our new forums! You’re free to discuss anything, as I’m sure everyone could use a few extra friends and tips regarding the highly addictive card game. I know I could.