So far, Valve has kept up with information about their online card game Artifact pretty back, but now there was finally a release date. In addition, the game is to be shown to the public for the first time at this year's PAX West trade fair.
Artifact later this year
On November 28, 2018 the Hearthstone / Magic: The Gathering competition appear, Valve announced tonight. Before that, the fantasy card game will be presented to the public for the first time at the PAX West games fair. It will take place in Seattle from August 31 to September 3. As a special surprise, the first mini tournament will also take place there. Visitors to the Valve booth can not only Try Artifact, but compete against each other and fight for the chance of a match on the main stage. All participants can also get goodies such as artifact merchandise or free copies of the game.
Much more complex than Hearthstone, for example
Even if Artifact is often referred to as competition to established online card games such as Hearthstone or the new Magic: The Gathering Arena, this is not true 100%.
For one, the game of Richard Garfield designed and should offer clear tactical and strategic depth. While Blizzard's Hearthstone is designed more as a simplified version of Magic: The Gathering, Artifact is intended to appeal more to TCG (Trading Card Game) enthusiasts. No wonder, since designer Richard Garfiel became a legend with the invention of Magic: The Gathering over 25 (1993) years ago.
Action allowed
Another big difference will be the ability to buy and sell the cards. Of course, Valve's Steam Marketplace plays a very important role here, items from other games, e.g. CS: GO, have been traded there for years and the complete infrastructure is already in place.
There will be more than 280 cards when it is released, and Artifact will initially cost $ 20. In this Starter pack there are 2 pre-made basic decks with 54 cards each, as well as 10 card packs each containing 12 cards. A “rare” card is guaranteed in every card package.
Additional card packages will then be available for $ 2 each.
So a system similar to Hearthstone or the physical version of Magic: The Gathering only with the great advantage that you don't get stuck on double cards, but these resell can. Likewise, when looking for a very specific card for your desired deck you don't have to blindly buy hundreds of packages until you are lucky, but can buy them specifically from other players.
