Valve has just revealed new details on Artifact, its upcoming Dota 2 card game, which was first announced at The International last year.
Valve President Gabe Newell shared a lot of information on the game, the key point being that the game will be a paid title unlike most of its competitors that are free-to-play. The game will purportedly boast high production values and an AI that teaches the player how to play. The opening packs and building of decks will be turned into “a social and competitive experience”. Like Dota 2, the game will support a marketplace and workshop.
Artifact is in fact in closed beta, although only industry members and TCG professionals have been given access. For everyone else, expect the game to come out end of 2018, with the first tournament to take place as early as Q1 2019. Artifact will be launched for the Android and iOS platforms in the middle of 2019 and will be the first Source 2 title to run on mobile. No word on pricing for the time being.