Hearthside Chat: The Puzzle Lab with Giovanni Scarpati & Max Ma

Join Hearthstone Mission Designer Giovanni Scarpati and Lead UI Designer Max Ma as they discuss the creative development process behind The Boomsday Project’s FREE single player content: The Puzzle Labs!
The Puzzle Labs launch August 21 (PT)! For a limited time, log in after the launch of The Puzzle Labs and receive three The Boomsday Project card packs FREE!
LEARN MORE about The Boomsday Project at: www.theboomsday...
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Hearthstone is Blizzard Entertainment’s highly acclaimed digital strategy card game that’s easy to learn and massively fun. Start a free game and play your cards to sling spells, summon creatures, and command the heroes of Warcraft in duels of epic strategy.

[@scesher7777]

We should see this Giovanni more often, the way he talks to the camera seems very natural and pleasant to watch!

[@heinokunzelmann8967]

Scesher I wanted to say just the same. He speaks like a professional

[@domesticdragon8645]

Scesher it’s obvious he’s reading from a script, but he does it naturally tho

[@ATOMIX4204]

Way better than Peter who is really cringey

[@Scienceboy0]

Definitely! He's a natural and I would love to see him more on camera.

[@firhennodu]

Yes, absolutely correct! Feels like someone talking to me rather than someone reading from cue cards

[@ballzonmaface]

Oh my god, all these people in the comments... First of all, if you actually listened to what they said, you would've understood what they said; each puzzles can be completed in very different and diverse ways, giving each puzzle various methods and outcomes. Secondly, puzzles aren't meant to be re playable. That's the whole point of a puzzle. You inspect it, and then solve it. People are incredibly over-the-top when it comes to demands. I personally think this idea is really original and creative. I give all of my support and enthusiasm to the devs for going with this route.

[@jordanjay3333]

Leo Soto I completely agree, the game design team is hella creative and continues to give us amazing content and all anybody ever does is complain 🙄

[@Kamikazeray]

This is too boring and plain simple, it has less value than the old adventures. Also, it can be done on like...1 turn.

[@silasthule9199]

its all done on 1 turn one. but this teaches you becoming a better player and look for some crazy outs in your normal play. i like it a lot. i know some of them are too wierd to be useful normally, but i doubt all the puzzles will be that

[@Noobie2k7]

It's really not that original or creative. basically every single online Card game has a single player puzzles system. Hearthstone is probably the last to that party.

[@NiramBG]

Also no one really plays the single player mode after they beat it completely, so the replayability won't be a factor for over 98% of the playerbase.

[@levaniandgiorgi2358]

we should see more giovanni

[@ishaaqdarock6060]

better than chicken man(Peter) at least

[@Sniperfuchs]

"Hmm looks cool but I wonder how long you'd have fun with this cause it doesn't have the same replayability as the Dungeon Run and Witchwood." >Over 100 puzzles available. "Ok maybe it'll last long enough"

[@gavadar8497]

I thought the same thing, lol. It looked like there were only a few but now that I know the number I know it'll take a good while to dig through them all, especially if some of them are as difficult as they say.

[@benjaminanderson1014]

and that's over 100 for each of the 4 categories too, right? or did I misunderstand that

[@aymonverheij1863]

i hope they will add more puzzle in the future because this is my fav adventure

[@Kamikazeray]

100 puzzles done in a SINGLE turn. now here's the difference.

[@MagicIsNotRealWhoops]

Benjamin Anderson There is 100 puzzles and 4 categories. I think 25 puzzles in each category.

[@juanlash]

Since Ben Brode departure, I think Dave Kossak, Peter and Giovanni should be the people who are always on the front of PR or hearthstone; they each have a great attitude towards the game and they give information in a very nice way

[@saitamabetterthangoku2244]

3:33 ITS THE ULTIMATE INFESTATION DESIGNER , GET EM

[@akaliislifeakaliislove5968]

xd

[@stoneshovel24]

Dope hahaha

[@AlejandroPerez-mg3fc]

They are proving they aren't just ben brode. I love the idea

[@AlejandroPerez-mg3fc]

The Weird Wolf The idea of the puzzles, what the whole video is about? maybe?

[@krzysztofpiasek5682]

@@TWWolf314 because he didn't. Ben Brode was part of team 5. They just proved they are well off even without Ben.

[@eugenelevin9809]

Just so you know, HS development cycle is over a year. This means this expansion was developed with Ben as senior designer. Even play testing may have began with him still on. You have to wait another 8 months to see what they will actually do without Ben.

[@eugenelevin9809]

The Weird Wolf When Boomsday came out, the next expansion was in play testing, the one after that in final design process, the the one after that in initial design process. So Ben has extensively worked on the 2 upcoming expansions after Boomsday and knows about a third. Regarding what the guy meant, he said “I like the idea”. He can’t have been referring to the PR, or his wording is wrong. Either way, if that’s not what he meant, he will say it himself, won’t he?

[@mtgmight353]

Alejandro Pérez hello brother *tips fedora*

[@logantykwinski9122]

3:30 the best ui isn’t invisible... I can see druids play it EVERY GAME

[@juusto3_352]

Lol

[@uwua6509]

isn't invisible means its visible

[@Quniverse]

Feels weird without Ben.

[@quetas83]

Quniverse what happened to him?

[@АлександрЗалялов]

Most of Hearthside chats didn't feature him anyway

[@kavehshily243]

Henrique Azevedo He left Blizzard and started a new indie studio called Second Dinner. So far, 4 other people from Hearthstone has also joined the studio.

[@butterj5696]

Henrique Azevedo he died from ligma :( lul

[@morgantrant3446]

ButterJ no... he joined second dinner and has been working on Sugandeze.

[@alvarocuesta1210]

Kojima is good at explaining UI details

[@AlvinCornelius]

Alvaro Garcia he's shigeru miyamoto you dumbass

[@stevefoxrox]

Nanomachines son!

[@131Defiance]

Alvin Cornelius r/whoosh

[@maxwellchan44]

@Josh Ryan you're the one that got r/woooosh-ed

[@cynthx]

LOL

[@Pokeshu]

Wow, the developers did such an amazing job on this one! This is hands down the best content they ever added to the game!

[@Aranohr]

I'd like it if we could see more of these guys. The premise was very well explained by Giovanni and seeing more of Max would be great.

[@UltimateNewS1]

3:34 actually the best UI is 10 mana and it's epic so you can run 2 of them

[@MissAshley42]

The best part about this mode will be knowing every scenario is beatable. The RNG in Dungeon Run and Monster Hunt meant some games were just unwinnable.

[@benhermoni2105]

It's about time! pretty much every other card game has a puzzle mode! i really wish there would be many of them!

[@guywithaguitar8521]

I thought they would only be 16 hard puzzles. But 100! Thanks hsTeam.

[@funnyshow6607]

This is soooooooo good

[@jacksweeney4824]

This might be the best single player content ever in Hearthstone

[@hacep160]

That is the one of the best ideas you have ever made guys!!!! LOVE YOU ALL FROM BLIZZARD! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!

[@HighLanderPonyYT]

That's great! The UI fluidity has a stroke of design genius for sure! Especially the reset button being there, so clean, and just replacing the otherwise useless end turn button. It's amazing! The new(?) seemed nice, too! Love puzzles, can't wait!

[@NiramBG]

This content is a triumph. I'm making a note here: Huge success! It's hard to overstate my satisfaction. Even though Ben Brode broke my hearth and killed me.

[@ArtixRednik]

Honestly one of the best ideas ever. This expansion has gone above and beyond for new players, with whizbang and now this.

[@mudkippug]

I wonder how difficult these are. And what are the rewards? Guess it’s a PUZZLE. PEOPLE! IT’S A JOKE JESUS CHRIST CALM DOWN

[@Panimu]

no, that's a mystery.

[@indigo7898]

A card back probably

[@Manganization]

*Professor Layton intensifies*

[@martinsvendsen89]

If you search for "Boomsday" under card backs you'll see the reward

3 packs and a cardback. Good, I guess.

[@krakenatorx4134]

In my opinion this is more interesting than dungeon runs or monster hunt which were getting a bit repetitive

[@akaliislifeakaliislove5968]

something like that wouldn't fit boomsday tho

[@koenslotboom1910]

Akali is Life, Akali is Love You could fit it into any set with slight flavor changes to be honest

[@timofeybushev1144]

Wow, this is propably the Thing hearthstone needed for a long time.

[@kennethokubo3435]

I love the idea of puzzles revolving around hearthstone mechanics

[@lifeisworthliving8840]

I love the idea so much!!! No more RNG in solo adventures just like a strategy game should be!! I'll definitely play this even if it doesn't have a reward for winning (even though it probably has)

[@joef7884]

Probably a card back like the Witchwood and Dungeon Run

[@Chocl8215]

It's pretty cool to hear about the technical design aspect of these things. we don't get to see that very often.

[@JJroks543]

That music is sick! If there's one thing Blizzard always gets right, its art and music. Wow!

[@gammaknife167]

Puzzles are a bit part of chess. And as a chess player, one of my favourite ways of studying was by practising doing lots of puzzles. I LOVE THIS NEW IDEA RIDICULOUSLY MUCH!

[@torchick163]

I'm excited to solve hearthstone puzzles. This is something that has not been in hearthstone before and the trial and error aspect of it really complements the boomsday project theme.

[@MrFedericomartani]

Such a great video! Good job Giovanni!

[@GeldarionTFS]

I used to do a chess puzzle every day with my dad when I was growing up. Sometimes it was a "lethal" puzzle, sometimes just a "escape the pin" puzzle or the like. I can't wait for these.

[@tolgayatamturk2304]

very honest and detailed presentation, can't wait for it! Keep up the good work guys!

[@awfulfalafel2613]

At least they aren’t recycling Dungeon Run again

[@lapatjani3171]

I liked the format more. They returned the adventure setting here and twisted it a bit. I think that the dungeon progress system is really good and it would worth the time to make it better and expand it instead of making adventures again. The witchwood monster hunt did a great job and gave us more bosses, four unique heroes with matching villains, a final boss, new treasures, interactions etc. Instead of replacing the dungeon run theme, they should just add more stuff to it, like choosing paths and "traveling" to different locations. It would stay as complex as it is, but could give the solo mode much more depth. They could have a chance to be creative with expansion themes and how to wrap these added things around them, the only thing I can think of right now which can be a problem is the size of the thing. Afterall it has to run on phones and tablets too.

[@balinthonvari7723]

Awful Falafel the more game modes, the better

[@lapatjani3171]

@@balinthonvari7723 I think we can consider monster hunt and dungeon run different game modes. If not, then there are only 3 in solo right now. Practice, adventure and roguelike/dungeon run. I assume that the puzzles will be the same format as adventures.

[@MagicIsNotRealWhoops]

Lapát Jani They did pretty good job with monster hunt and dungeon run. I don't even know that they can turn Hearthstone into roguelike mode.

[@shoresy6927]

Awful Falafel hey I liked monster hunt. Jerk.

[@qrmx6177]

Really nice talk, the speakers made a clear and nice presentation. Giovanni could become a really interesting speaker, he speaks well and naturally, really cool ! PS: The puzzles look really exciting and refreshing, I initially wanted another set of dungeons but after all they seem to have made an amazing work !

[@smartalimka]

this taste... taste of new pve content, giovanni!

[@manuu.6788]

4:30 Can you also add that to the Mobile Hearthstone Version? LUL

[@becauseimbatman1391]

Death Master Ikr

[@OnEiNsAnEmOtHeRfUcKa]

Definitely can't be done due to secrets and random effects, and the ability to cheat by drawing cards and then resetting, so you know what's on top of your deck. It'd have given mobile players a pretty unfair advantage anyways.

[@mateistefan9501]

Dexxus i think you misundrstood the joke

[@manuu.6788]

Dexxus Thats not what I meant, my dude

[@becauseimbatman1391]

Dexxus "to ensure the transition is fast and smooth"

[@WisperArt]

Giovanni is love, Giovanni is life.

[@luliby2309]

This looks awesome. Can't wait until it comes out!

[@tachikazetyler2916]

This reminds me of Duelyst and their challenges.. also a hint of Shadowverse UI.. I like that they seem to be monitoring their competitors and improving in the same fashion.

[@Chaoticus9]

I'm kinda curious on what the overall reward for completing these puzzles are. That closed chest at 3:47 has got me excited!

[@vif13vf]

Really enjoy how creative the HS team is being with their solo adventures! Hyped to see what fun ideas you come up with next.

[@MrDvd05]

I haven't played the new expansion much but god I am so exited for the puzzle lab. I love card game puzzles so much...

[@ciortantudor577]

100 puzzles? Who the what now?

[@dolphchu8482]

Mirror puzzle sounds like the most fun

[@djjinntonic2746]

I want a creation mode to share our creation and puzzle to the community ! :D

[@tannman6]

I like this Giovanni guy alot can we get more of him please very well spoken

[@harryr8847]

You could do a race mode where you get 1 mana every 5 seconds and it’s a race to put minions down

[@KoboldAppreciator]

Nice! Seem’s evil.

[@hellesophianordby9680]

YYYYEEESSS!!!!!!

[@dairymark]

The puzzle will improve my skill. Can't wait.

[@scuffedwizard]

I like this Giovanni guy! Am hyped for the puzzles aswell!

[@TheHappy115]

5:00 - Play Highmane + Timberwolf, have all 3 hit face for: 11 damage. Kill command Highmane, and send the hyena's from deathrattle into face for 6 damage. Coin out Swamp Leech to hit face for 3. Bame 20 damage and Lethal. FIRST PUZZLE ALREADY SOLVED. (I'm assuming it is lethal puzzle). On a side note: I hope these puzzles get super complicated because I made a video based on the Lethal Puzzle and you can get really really complicated lethals. (I wonder how hard some of them will be since these guys getting paid for it).

[@thehiddenninja3428]

1:02 - Use mortal coil on the Goblin Bomb (so it has 1 hp) then use defile (does 2 damage to everything; second tick kills nothing) then play hellfire. This'll kill all the taunts, and your 3 remaining doomguards can hit face. LETHAL

[@vanderkarl3927]

Lol I overthought it but reached a similar conclusion; I also put a Coil into the Voidwalker and ran it in for basically no reason

[@jackthorndyke3390]

The Hidden Ninja that one is board clear... trade in the two damaged doom guards and one of the full HP ones- mortal coil goblin bomb, dark bomb one of the mechs, and there you have the defile. Goblin Bomb-1 Taunt mech-2 Voidwalker-3 Doomguards 4-7

[@leguan278]

This is gona be so FUN.

[@TheSnorlax7]

Wow, that's pretty creative! I look forward to the puzzles!

[@leonromer567]

This is the way to go ! Awesome

[@TheWavetwister]

Looking forward to getting stuck into these!

[@chomperplant2843]

I like how this is going. Making players think first before placing everything down. But I wonder what is rewards are. Hopefully more card packs.

[@rafaelcuaba3114]

NICE! Just like "Dead Man's Hand" (MTG Puzzles) from the old InQuest magazines!

[@repacharge431]

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS EXPANSION!!!! I wish I could get it early ;(

[@tvdg2482]

Scared that this wont have the replayability of the other adventures

[@gferrol118]

3:32 no, the best UI is a 10 mana spell

[@Nahianc]

If there isn't a lethal puzzle that expects me to add 11 and 4, I'm rioting

[@radenkovic2856]

He refused to Look up the answer. I wish i could Do such thinks @ work :D

[@carterthatguy7856]

How come in the description it says Puzzle Labs will release Aug 21 but on that day in Hearthstone in solo adventures it says it’ll release in a week. I’m not genius but, 28 is definitely 21 guys.

[@x3ICEx]

I'm going to look up all the coolest and smartest solutions.

[@horner385]

Old school adventure screen Good stuff

[@theaquaforcegal1067]

This should be really fun! If you take a look at 1:03 as long as Electra's hero power doesn't mess up anything then you could coil your bomb, defile kills one does two damage to all, kills bomb 18/20 remaining, hellfire 15/20 remaining, kills all enemy minions, the void walker, and a doomguard, doomguard attacks 5+5+5=15, 0/20 remaining.

[@theaquaforcegal1067]

What if her hero power causes spells to cast twice. That would be neat Edit: on second thought it would make lethal lame. Double hellfire, double dark bomb face attack with doomguards. Edit #2: if it makes the first spell trigger twice then you could unwilling sacrifice the void walker, then do the first one.

[@edrueter9]

"Is that the most you can do, son?" "Yes." "Are you sure?" "YES! That's the Max Ma!"

[@cosmicfails2053]

So it's essentially like what Duelyst has with their mini challenges One turn to kill the general using various interactions and mechanics

[@ideadkyn]

i hope they wouldn't stop on this, and next feature will be creating custom puzzles from society and exporting them like decks - it's absolutely genius. i remember a lot of time spending on chess puzzles, it was cool

[@3rdDanPrime]

a game mode based around skill with 0 RNG how unusual i like it

[@gferrol118]

This seems like it'll be pretty easy... Especially when within a few days of release, you'll be able to get them all online

[@deamon6681]

Considering all the streamers will play it the second it goes live, I would be surprised if it takes longer than 24 hours to find solutions online, 48 and you find nicely formatted guides. But judging the difficulty of a puzzle based on the ability to find the solution online kinda misses the point imo.

[@hexalspace]

YESSSSSS! Very excited for this! Awesome vid too!

[@romantroshkin3142]

I think mission design team is doing really great job. Don't get me wrong I don't like Hearthstone card and gameplay design but the mission and solo adventure design is awesome.

[@PearlSnce]

i love it but i really hope they put in rewards that make it worth the grind to complete

[@guitargo7219]

Looks awesome guys love puzzles 😀😀❤️❤️

[@balinthonvari7723]

I love how hearthstone always stays fresh

[@mingikim6051]

Yes yes yes! I love this puzzles idea so much I need to do get into it right now!!!

[@arrowghost]

SCIENCE! * thumbs up *

[@WolfSoulZell]

This looks really fun! Can't wait to try it :)

[@Hoazalf]

very cool, looking forward to it!

[@davidbronstein2040]

Glad that you can jump around if you get stuck, I still haven’t beaten Lord Marrogar, which barred me from the entire adventure.

[@BatteryExhausted]

This is just like the old *chess* *problems* in the newspapers (There used to be physical copies of news websites, printed on paper) "White mates in four..."

[@MagicIsNotRealWhoops]

Battery Exhausted Imagine if on every newspaper there was "spot the lethal" puzzle from hearthstone.

[@Fulldre]

Cool. Can we get another monster hunt type mode next time? Was sad we didn't get one this time after how fun witchwoods was.

[@allisonronis]

omg i can't wait!! when is this being released?

[@FlairanFire]

I've quit hearthstone for MTG:Arena, but i'm coming back to at least play Puzzle Labs. I love puzzles and this just seems like some cool interesting content.

[@tomastito678]

When is this suposed to come to Hearstone ?

[@Guffermaskinen]

This seems fun

[@lobstepgaming249]

I’m excited already

[@horner385]

Don't make me kill Zerek He's a cool guy EDIT: Yay I gotta do like him

[@Flash33c]

Very cool, I'm looking forward to it.

[@carlosrubino6451]

This looks like its going to be fun and interesting

[@darlingkarma2262]

Ummm question,can anyone estimate when this wilo be released cuz i am already hyped about it

OMG I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rockylosco5596]

When puzzles come out

[@esaedromicroflora1247]

an italian leading design and an asian leading interface. Blizzard knows how to put right people at work :) great job btw

[@MerdaPura]

Now let´s talk about the UI challenges of having more than 18 deckslots!

[@dono1483]

1:02 trade voidwalker into taunt, mortal coil voidwalker, mortal coil goblin bomb, defile for 2 ticks, hellfire, and then attack with 3 doomguards to face for 20 damage

[@jasperosterlund6308]

3:30 behold the guy who made the first legendary spell in hearthstone.