Fans often shorten the name to 炉石 (Lúshí). The 2023 server shutdown triggered a huge grieving moment in the Chinese gaming community; reactivation made headlines. Staple term in Chinese esports coverage alongside 英雄联盟 (LoL) and 王者荣耀 (HoK).
Blizzard's 2014 digital collectible card game set in the Warcraft universe. Known in Chinese as 炉石传说 ('Legend of the Hearthstone'), launched by NetEase as the mainland operator. Major rupture in 2023 when Blizzard-NetEase talks broke down and mainland service went offline; access resumed in 2024 after a new agreement.
