10 Video Games You Know Are Bad For You (But You Play Anyway)

When Blizzard first launched Hearthstone in 2014, it was hailed as a fun and faithful digital card game that anyone could imagine playing in Stormwind or Orgrimmar in the Warcraft world.

With easy-to-grasp mechanics but also a respectable skill ceiling, its flashy effects and visuals helped make it a popular Esport, a lucrative arm of the Blizzard empire (worth $40million a month at one point), and one of the most played online games with over 100 million players.

However, as more and more cards and expansions were added to the game, Hearthstone began the inevitable slump towards a messy 'pay-to-win' experience, with more and more of the game's skill-based elements being replaced by RNG mechanics that made playing experiences far less fun, especially for newer and casual players.

The matchmaking ladder system became an unfair grind, with players needing to invest countless hours and money into buying packs and expansions just to compete with the volatile game's competitive metas.

Nevertheless, the game is undeniably addictive and still one of the most accesiable card games players can find on the market these days. The game is still pumping out new sets and expansions, and people are still actively playing Hearthstone in their millions.