Hearthstonejust rolled out a new patch that introduced a new type of real-money currency called Runestones. However,Hearthstone’s new currency has some truly bizarre pricing inconsistencies in some countries outside the United States, leaving many international fans frustrated.
Runestones are a new type of currency that seeks to replace normal cash transactions inHearthstonein a model similar to many other mobile games. In the United States, 100 Runestones are equivalent to $1. Bundles cost the same regardless of Runestones purchased: 500 Runestones are $5, and 8000 Runestones are $80.
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However, in some nations outside the US, this price point is not replicated correctly. In the UK, for example, 500 Runestones costs GBP 4, but 1000 costs GBP 9–one more than it would cost to buy two 500 Runestone bundles. This trend continues for all the other larger bundles, with the 8000 Runestone bundle costing a whole GBP 5 more than it should. While some mobile games give bonus currency for buying larger bundles, internationalHearthstoneseems to be unintentionally doing the opposite.
This trend occurred in many other countries as well. For example, Mexico has its more expensive bundles inexplicably about 10% more expensive than buying multiple 500 Runestone bundles. There is no feasible explanation for this being the case outside mathematical errors or complications with currency exchange rates. Despite this, the EUHearthstoneshopdoes not seem to suffer from this pricing discrepancy.
The introduction toRunestones was already an unpopular decision for manyHearthstonefans, and this bizarre pricing mistake has only served to frustrate players further, even thoughHearthstonewill likely correct the error soon. Though Runestones ostensibly serve to allowHearthstoneto sell individual items, like skins and cosmetics, at lower prices without individual transactions, most see the new currency as a way of providing another layer of obfuscation between players and cash transactions to make it easier to spend money without realizing it.
Runestones firstappeared in the ChineseHearthstoneclientnear the end of last year, alongside another currency called Arcane Orbs. While Runestones act as a replacement for real money transactions, Arcane Orbs are used to purchase packs and can be earned in-game or purchased with real money in a clever way of evading China’s loot box laws. While there is currently no evidence Arcane Orbs are headed toHearthstoneinternationally, Runestones likewise made the transition with little warning. Hopefully,Hearthstonesees the abundance of negative feedback against Runestones and will decide not to bring yet another form of currency toHearthstone.
Hearthstoneis available now for mobile and PC.
