At the beginning of this year, we talked about the five most anticipated ones. Among them was Valve's new card game Artifact, about which there was very little information. But on March 9 the ban was lifted and immediately in various in social networks Screenshots and gameplay videos began to appear.

Artifact

It’s worth clarifying right away that Artifact is not a full-fledged Dota 2 game; it only took the idea of ​​​​this multiplayer game as a basis. Artifact will be released in late 2018 on Windows, Mac and Linux. The game will also appear on Android and iOS, but in 2019. At the same time, the game will not be free, but the cost will be symbolic, around $10. Before the game is released, there will definitely be stages of closed and open beta testing, which both players and the press will be able to access. Recently, card games have become very popular. One of the reasons for this popularity is the short match sessions; in Artifact, matches will last approximately 12 minutes. But one of the players, who had already played, noted that his first match ended very quickly, but the second, on the contrary, lasted quite a long time. Valve is still working on the gameplay and will solve such problems.

New Hearthstone?

Artifact has been compared to Blizzard's most popular card game, Hearthstone. But this is not so and the Valve project is seriously different from Hearthstone. From the published screenshots of the game, it becomes clear that the battle will take place not on one table, but on three. In this case, there is a clear reference to Dota 2 where there are 3 lines and it is these 3 tables that represent the 3 lines. The game will completely abandon game randomness, that is, having the rarest cards in the game, you will not defeat everyone. The cards themselves can be sold and exchanged on the Steam trading platform. The gaming community will also offer cards. The most unexpected news was that at the beginning of 2019 there will be a tournament for the new game with a total prize pool of $1 million. Game release according to words general director Gabe Newell's Valve will be an impetus for the development of the company. Valve will be more active in releasing games and Artifact is far from the last project we will see in the near future.

The other day Valve showed some lucky people their game Artifact. A variation on the theme of card entertainment being developed in the studio was announced at The International 2017 and, as you might guess, is dedicated to the next showdown of heroes from the Dota 2 universe.

The first and perhaps the main news of the presentation is that Artifact will be paid. I mean, not free-to-play. The fact that additional sets of cards will ruin happy gamers is known to everyone immediately and in advance, but probably only great experts expected to see the fee for the “entrance ticket” domestic policy Valve. The mobile version of Atrifact, accordingly, will also be paid. Exactly how much buyers will have to pay for the game key has not been announced.

But players will be able to sell their cards! The main platform for exchanging cards for relatively real money will, of course, be the Steam Marketplace.

Artifact itself, suddenly, is trying to copy the rules of Dota 2 in its own way. For example, the general game board is divided into three sectors, symbolizing “lines” familiar to any MOBA fan. A doubly sudden moment - along these same lines, gamers will have to distribute five heroes. Three times suddenly, faceless creep minions will also appear on local lanes.

Every turn, your heroes, creeps, and other comrades in arms will attack enemies directly in front of them. Usually. The joke is that absolutely every first move Artifact additionally fills up the empty corners of the game board with “road” cards, changing the rules of attack and, for example, forcing units to hit diagonally to the right.

Another big surprise: on each of the sectors there is a tower with 40hp. To win the game, you need to either break two of the three towers, or first break the tower on at least one of the lines, and then break apart the main building with 80 HP left without cover. Thus, victory in Artifact is achieved in very different ways, depending on the strategies chosen by gamers.

At the same time, the above-described layout sharply distinguishes the new product from the same Hearthstone and its numerous clones. Mana crystals, however, are in place and work exactly the same as in the hit from Blizzard. One move - plus one crystal. What HS doesn't have as a resource, but Artifact does have, is gold. It is obtained according to the Dota 2 tradition by killing enemies, and is spent between turns for artifacts and other items of equipment. The latter, by the way, are used just like that, without spending mana.

Local cards are divided into four colorful types: green, blue, red and black. A regular Dota 2 player might think that the distribution is somehow related to the well-known agility-strength-intelligence system, but it seems that this is not entirely the case. The main strength of “green” cards is in creeps and various amplifiers, blue ones are more about cool magic and relatively weak heroes, red ones are, on the contrary, about strong heroes and weak spells, and black ones are about focused fire on one target and displacing cards from their cells .

In general, if you look at the big picture, Artifact is more similar to Magic the Gathering than Hearthstone. In addition to dividing cards into colors, Valve's game invites gamers to create decks of much larger sizes than HS. The standard maximum for computer card games is 30 cards - this is not for Artifect with its minimum decks of 40 cards and an unlimited “ceiling”. Yes, by the way, you can also hold as many cards as you like in your hands at the same time. And on each line you can place as many units as you like. An eyewitness reports that during the demonstration, as many as a hundred (hundred!) fighters once crowded on one single line. In such conditions, thick sets of hundreds of cards from MTG exotics can turn into one of the gaming standards.

In addition to the obvious integration of Artifact with the Steam Marketplace, the developers want to immediately launch the project in the Steam Workshop so that, for example, third-party artists will draw unusual illustrations for cards. Entire significant mods, however, will not be supported at the start, but in general Valve has plans to introduce custom everything in the world into Artifact.

The game will not have any different single-player campaigns or other individual entertainment. A few training tasks, and go straight into battle with live opponents. Only multiplayer, only hardcore.

Also, apparently, gamers will have to abandon the idea of ​​blitz games, where the outcome of the match is decided in just a couple of minutes. Clearly, Valve believes that the public has already thoroughly experienced the concept of digital card games and no longer needs the simplest entertainment with minimalistic decks of cards, a lot of randomness and the simplification of everything that can be simplified.

The time for serious, thoughtful computer games will come at the end of 2018. Mobile clients of Artifact should only catch up by 2019. At that time, various people involved tell us, Valve will hold the first (or maybe not) major tournament for the game with a prize pool of a million dollars.

There's definitely something to look forward to for card game fans.

Streamers, players and commentators will rush to broadcast the game. Already on November 19, those who obtained the key at The International, PAX or in the depths of the Internet will have access to it. But while ordinary workers have not been able to touch the new card game from Valve, they have already managed to come up with many myths and conjectures.

Myth 1: I have to pay every time I want to play

Valve made a big mistake when, during the release of the first ArtiFAQ, it was not very clear in the paragraph about the available competitive game modes (they are called "competitions"). All that was known was that the goal of the participants was to win a certain number of matches, and they could get there with a special ticket. This started a rumor that without throwing an extra penny into Gaben’s pocket, he wouldn’t be able to play with anyone other than his friends and bots. But already during the introductory tournament, the developers corrected their mistake.

First of all, free modes exist. The first is "Call of Battle". Players are offered a choice of one of six decks that the developers compiled themselves. The task of users is to win as many matches as possible in a row. However, it is not necessary to own all the cards. You don’t even have to open your bags for this.

The pitfall: the regime risks getting boring too quickly.

The second entertainment option is a regular game. Build your deck and press the search for an opponent button. If Valve has not made a mistake with the wording again, then you can play in the usual “global search” mode (against a random player) or in the “competition” mode, when opponents will become stronger with each game. In this mode, you control your own deck and must have usable cards in your collection.

After the announcements, rumors began to circulate about a free draft (a mode from an introductory tournament, when a player gradually selects cards for a deck), but so far they have not been confirmed by anything.

If everything is so simple, then why are there so many dissatisfied people? The fact is that all these modes do not offer rewards. That is, you can actually play by paying only $20 for . But it is impossible to get cards, packs or other rewards this way. To do this, you will have to participate in “expert competitions”, which require an entrance fee (you will be given five of these when you purchase the game). And as experienced players suggest, it’s almost impossible to constantly get into them plus or at least 0. That is, unless you are a genius at card games and marketing, then you will have to pay to expand your collection. And the free modes still resemble playing for the sake of playing. It’s difficult to feed this to users.

Myth 2: I'll spend all my money on packs!

Valve suggests that you spend your money not on packs with cards, but on entrance tickets to various competitions. When you purchase the game, you will be given 5 tickets that you can use as you wish. At the start, there are three ways to spend them.

The first is to build a deck and start a "competition". The players' task is to win 5 times while losing less than 3 times. If you manage to win three matches, you will get your entry ticket back, and after 4 wins you will also be rewarded with packs of cards.

The second option is a phantom draft. The developers presented this mode at the introductory tournament. Players select cards from different sets, build a deck, and compete. But these cards are only given to you to “hold”; you cannot take them for yourself. Also, after 4 wins, a set with cards will be given as a reward.

The third option is the most tempting - a complete draft. The same selection process, but you can keep the cards for yourself. However, to enter the competition you will have to pay 2 tickets at once and sacrifice five personal kits. If you manage to win 3 victories with your assembled deck, then in addition to it you will receive an additional pack and your tickets will be returned. For five matches won, you will be given 3 sets of cards at once. Some Reddit users thought this was the most profitable way to spend a starter kit.

For those who want to minimize their costs for the game, but still have fun, players recommend immediately mastering the trading platform. It will be possible to sell cards and buy additional ones. Usually at the start their price is greatly inflated, so those that are rare but not very needed can be sold for a higher price. Players participating in beta testing suggest that at first this strategy will be much more profitable than buying kits. Moreover, many sites already have card strength ratings, and streamers will have time to demonstrate the strongest heroes and their combinations within a week.

Myth 3: complete randomness!

Random is the main topic of discussion of any card game. No one who has already tried Valve's game says that the game is completely free from the influence of chance. Even the spectators of the introductory tournament managed to understand how much the distribution of creeps on the line and the initial arrangement sometimes decide. What can I say, items from the Secret Shop that appear randomly won entire games for some participants.

However, players who have spent several months in the game are ready to convince us that the number of randomnesses is balanced by various mechanics. For example, for Naiman the randomness is leveled by three lines.

“Let's take Hearthstone, for example. If the randomness did not work in our favor, then we are behind in the game situation. If random did not play in our favor in Artifact, then it did not play in our favor on one of the lines. Therefore, we can take advantage of the failure and strengthen the remaining lines,” he said in an interview.

The developers remind you that the player can balance the process using different abilities and items. Some spells can help allies on the other line, but teleport and Blink are a must-have. Otherwise, it's a regular card game with its pros and cons regarding randomness. Yes, it will also light up if the required card does not arrive.

“On the maps themselves there is almost no randomness at all. There are, of course, a couple of random cards, but, in principle, I don’t see any problem in this, because basically everything is very competent. I recently played a game: I have two red and one green heroes, and my whole hand is filled with green cards - just green ones, I can’t do anything,” Maria harleen Kobzar said in an interview with Cybersport.

Myth 4: I will never be a pro player, everything is already taken there

Naturally, on the wave of universal love for eSports and the announcement of a tournament with $1 million for first place, everyone began to worry about the question of how to become a pro player. And looking at the fact that all the avid “gamblers” from MTG, HS and Gwent are already competing with might and main and registering for tournaments, ordinary hard workers give up. However, there are a few “buts” here.

Let's start with the fact that in any eSports discipline there are players who started playing during the times of the mammoths. But this does not prevent talented guys who have never seen mammoths from now lifting championship cups. Of course, not all at once, but there is a chance.

Secondly, already while watching the introductory tournament, even viewers in the chat noticed obvious mistakes of professional players. They may have several months of experience behind them, but not all of them play flawlessly. In addition, beginners already have so many educational materials at their disposal that they can become experts just by watching videos on YouTube.

Thirdly, now there are not only invitational tournaments for A-list stars, but also for ordinary hard workers. For example, the site Brainscans.net plans to hold championships for small cash prizes and card sets. Anyone can take part in them. And enthusiasts are already creating websites that will collect information about various championships.

Moreover, Valve itself and Valve offer tools for creating different tournaments. So there will obviously be competition where and with whom.

the main problem those wishing to get into eSports - the lack of a ladder. The developers want you to have fun and enjoy yourself, not suffer for every step up the stairs. At least for now. So the hardest thing will not be to learn how to play better than a pro, but to get noticed.

Myth 5: It’s so difficult, I’ll never figure it out

At first glance, it looks like some kind of madness, especially if you start getting acquainted with the game by watching matches of pro players. They throw cards, buy some artifacts, and also these circles next to the towers! But in reality, understanding the basics is not that difficult.

The game will include training, which the organizers of the introductory tournament have already shown. Alexey Lex Filippov commented on it in detail.

Users of other card games may at first be unfamiliar with the presence of three lines, which implies skillful distribution of resources. But, for example, Gwent players can relate the lines to the usual rounds, and those coming from Hearthstone will have no problem understanding mana management.

Believe it or not, even Dota 2 players can gain a slight advantage. While those who have never seen Valve's MOBA are intensively memorizing and memorizing the heroes and their signature abilities, you already know most of their skills. You won't be surprised when Bounty Hunter puts Track on you, and Sven deals damage not only to the target, but also to neighboring units. In fact, dota players are already familiar with almost every mechanic of the game, but only in Dota 2. So they can simply skip this difficult memorization stage.

Moreover, there is a game mode with bots, which can be given any possible cards. You can study with virtually no damage to your pride.

If you are still in doubt about whether it is worth spending 1,400 rubles on and who knows how much on kits and cards, then just watch the streams before the official launch of the game. You still won't receive any additional bonuses for pre-ordering. But you will understand how much the process can captivate you. Surely, there will also be streamers on Twitch who will log into the game for the first time and will not have a complete collection on hand.

And remember that if something goes wrong, Valve can always come up with new free modes or add rewards. The main thing is for Reddit to complain louder.

The decision is logical - there is incredibly strong demand for the genre, and Valve wants a piece of that pie. Following the success of Blizzard Entertainment's "Hearthstone" and, to a lesser extent, CD Projekt RED's "Gwent", the hope is that they will be able to beat the market. Whether this is done by luring players away from other games or by creating new interest in the genre (similar to Valve).
The main disappointment was that they did not announce what we had been waiting for so long from Valve for many years. Of course, everyone expected to see the announcement of Half-Life 3. Although many fans had already come to terms with the fact that they would never see HL3. There is also a need (and sometimes demand) for Valve to create any of the games that brought them big success; be it Portal 2 (2011), Left 4 Dead 2 (2009), Team Fortress 2 (2007) or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012). This created a backlash against Artifact that Valve probably expected.

So the question becomes, does it make sense to ask how the game will be received? For any other AAA developer other than Blizzard and Nintendo, I would say yes. But for Valve all it takes is for the game to be on the front page of the news, no matter how good the game actually is, they will see a large influx of players after release, once they see that they have reached enough players, they will most likely just make money from this game, no matter how upset their audience is, like they did with Hearthstone.
In typical Valve fashion, little is known about the card game Artifact. International 2017 host Day9 played the game and relayed some information from what was clearly a script. If the mechanics remain the same until release, then they will be borrowing quite a lot from DOTA 2 (and the MOBA genre), the universe in which the game will be based. Instead of one field there will be three stripes (they went further than " The Elder Scrolls: Legends" from Bethesda, where there are only two stripes). There are five "heroes" that are located among the lanes, although their functions and mechanics are unknown. The game has been confirmed to be turn based as it has creeps that spawn every turn. Item cards will be equipment for the above-mentioned heroes.

This would be an interesting mechanic for a card game. The lingering aspects of the MOBA complement DOTA's massive fan base, allowing it to stick around longer since there are already mechanics they will be familiar with. The balance that Valve needs to find is that it doesn't feel so much like a MOBA, that it cuts out those who don't like that genre of game.
However, this decision would be necessary if Artifact turned out to be too typical of a card game, there would be no reason for people to play it when they have Hearthstone. Players need to feel like it's a completely different game if they try to compare it to similar games.
The biggest speculation at this stage is how their payment system will be implemented. Most, if not all, CCG companies take the approach of purchasing card packs. Physical card games such as Magic: The Gathering require this, while digital card games may use various variations of micropayments. But Valve has its own way of monetizing games, which usually allows you to simply purchase additional content for the game.

Valve, it’s time to stop!

With Team Fortress 2, they eliminated the need to buy the game and buy card packs by selling hats for each player to wear using the Steam marketplace.
CS:GO took things a step further by introducing crates that could only be opened with a key purchased directly from Valve, giving players skins for their weapons (a trend that has plagued the gaming industry ever since, including legal issues with gambling) .
DOTA 2 is their biggest success, in this game all the game characters are free, and they earn money exclusively from cosmetics, which is a great success, in contrast to the most profitable computer game in the world right now is League of Legends.
Many people think that they will follow the DOTA 2 path of making all maps free, finding many ways to monetize cosmetics. Notably, the words "collectible" and "trading" were missing from the teaser, as it was only announced as a "Dota Card Game." Although it is possible that they are simply hiding their intentions, and everything can change.

As you know, Valve can’t count to three, and despite its impressive team of developers, the studio rarely releases new games. The company’s last full-fledged release on large platforms, not limited by region, was... Dota 2, released back in 2013. Naturally, the announcement of a new game from Valve at The International 2017 excited everyone, however, only until it turned out that This is a collectible card game based on the same Dota. The players expected something completely different from Gabe Newell. However, the developers promised to make Half-Life collectible card games out of Artifact, which is exactly the name the project received. Let's see if they succeeded.

Artifact

Genre collectible card game
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux
Developers Valve
Publisher Valve
Language English Russian
Websites Steam

Artifact is a collaboration between Valve and the legendary Richard Garfield, author, the man who created the genre of collectible card games back in 1993. And I must say that Garfield has outdone himself here - Artifact is perhaps one of the most complex and interesting in terms of card game mechanic. And, most importantly, it is not similar to the designer’s previous works or to other similar games, which in itself is worth a lot. And Artifact is literally carved into playing cards Dota 2, yes, the same MOBA beloved by millions, the standard of the genre and the engine of e-sports.

Actually, the subtitle under which the game was promoted at the start - Artifact: The Dota Card Game - is completely true. There are three lines, three playing fields on which the game takes place. There are towers that you need to destroy - the fall of two towers on the lines or the main tower brings victory. There are creep monsters that automatically appear in random lines or are placed from your hand. There are five heroes that can be placed in any lane, and the heroes have cooldown abilities. For killing creeps and heroes you get gold, which can be spent in the shop between rounds, purchasing armor, weapons and other useful items for your fighters. Artifact also has time for recovery after the death of a hero, so it is quite possible to carry out a Killstrike, knocking out all five at once, and then roll over a helpless enemy while they are recovering. There is a teleport of heroes to the Fountain, in this case to the hand. Etc.

The elements of Dota 2 are recognizable and tangible. Why, Artifact heroes are the same heroes that are present in your favorite Dota. They have the same names appearance and similar skills. The same applies to items purchased in the store. In short, if you've played Dota 2, a lot of Artifact will be familiar to you. For those who have never played this game and are generally far from the MOBA genre, Valve has begun releasing a digital comic (including in Russian) dedicated to the world of Dota and Artifact. The first releases, Prelude and Call to Arms can be downloaded from the game website.

So what is Artifact like in terms of gameplay? The main difference between the game and other card games, the same or simpler modern, initially digital CCGs, such as, or, is that here the battle takes place simultaneously not on one, but on three lines of fields. You alternately play cards on the lines, and only on those where your heroes of the corresponding color are located (this time there are only four colors - red, green, blue and black). The trick is that some spells can act on other lines, and some on all at once. As a result, you need to keep in mind the current situation and the result of the next move (kindly demonstrated by the game right away) on all lines, the effects of cards triggered at different phases of the turn, effects applied to towers, ability timers, the ability to use spells of general effect, etc. . In some ways, this is similar to a game of simultaneous chess playing on several boards, only a loss on any of them can lead to a loss on all of them. Another analogy that comes to mind is the 3D chess that Vulcan Spock loved so much in Star Trek: The Original Series. Even with a solid background in card games and the built-in tutorial, it will take you some time to understand the basic principles of Artifact. But when you get the gist, you will understand how multifaceted and interesting this game is.

The combination of several mechanics at once, high card synergy, and complex cross-connections between lines make the game in Artifact difficult, but incredibly exciting. Interesting tactical preparations based on card combinations, and unexpected impromptu ideas. Incredibly beautiful and elaborate combos, allowing you to turn the tide of a seemingly lost game at the last moment. Carefully constructed traps into which you lure the enemy. Using the blunt breaking power of red or green heroes or the cunning and cunning of blue and black heroes. Fast and simple one-color decks, balanced two-color decks, or slow but very powerful three-color decks. It has all this and much more. In short, if you are a fan of collectible card games, you simply must try Artifact.

The standard Artifact deck includes five heroes, forty creep cards, spells and tower upgrades, and nine shop items. However, in addition to the weapons and armor included in your deck, random items will also appear in the shop. And here we come to the most controversial aspect of the game - the method of obtaining cards. As in other CCGs, cards here are sold in booster packs for 54 UAH. ($2). With the base game, and the cost of Artifact is 560 UAH. ($20), you get ten boosters, which is enough for the simplest deck, and then you’ll have to buy boosters on Steam or individual cards on the Steam Market. No additional in-game currency, no daily quests to earn boosters, no login rewards, no card crafting, nothing. So, unfortunately, investing your time, playing completely free and expanding your collection, as in all modern CCGs, will not work.

You can only win boosters in Expert Play mode up to five wins or two losses, but to take part in such tournaments, you must pay with Entry Tickets or Entry Tickets and the same boosters. Something similar happened in the classic 2002, and there was a secondary market for cards in the same way. Yes, you will also have to buy Entrance tickets, five of them you will receive along with the game, a set of five more costs 135 UAH. ($5). However, you can get tickets cheaper if you melt down the most basic cards; a ticket will cost you 20 cards or about 8-10 UAH. at current prices.

Prizes for participation in paid tournaments cannot be called generous. For three wins in the Personal Decks mode (essentially, this is Constructed - a pre-assembled deck of cards included in your collection) you will receive only one Entry Ticket, for four wins - one ticket and one booster, for the maximum number of wins, five - one ticket and two boosters. A similar reward awaits you in the Expert Phantom Draft mode (you sequentially select two cards from five booster packs), in which the collected cards disappear after the tournament. But in the Complete Draft, after which the collected cards will go to your collection, for three victories you will receive two entrance tickets, for four victories - two tickets and two boosters, and for five - two tickets and three boosters. But the entry fee for the Complete Draft is also higher - two tickets and five booster packs at once, that is, $12.

The presence of a secondary market allows you, in case of a good game or a successful draft, to even make money on Artifact, as was the case in MTG Online at one time. Expensive cards, the same Ax, Drow Ranger, Kanna, cost $10-20, which allows you to pay for, for example, a Complete Draft and even earn a little money. However, it all depends on your skill and luck, but in general, in order to put together a good collection and play the Constructed format at least at a basic level, you need to invest more than $100 in the game.

For those who are not willing to pay more, there are free formats. Until December 14, you can try six different Pre-Constructed Call of Arms decks in the corresponding event, naturally, without any prizes. In regular play mode, you can try expert formats, including Constructed and Phantom Draft, again without prizes. Plus, direct challenge of players, custom tournaments and games with a bot are available. All of these modes are good for honing your skills, drafting techniques, and learning maps.

Absence free game with prizes, as well as the opportunity to receive new cards through banal grinding, available in all modern collectible card games, seriously upset the players. Although in fact Valve did not invent anything here, the same monetization has always been with paper CCGs and the same MTG Online, aimed at professional players. Valve does not hide its desire to make Artifact an e-sports discipline and make money on boosters and a percentage of card sales. The problem is that eSports requires fans who understand what is happening on the screen and are ready to support the players with the same bets.

Of course, linking the mechanics and the world to Dota should attract Dota 2 players, whose army is large, but still CCG is a somewhat specific and in many ways niche genre that not everyone loves. In addition, Artifact has some problems with entertainment. The fact is that due to the huge number of parameters that the player must keep in mind and because of the three playing fields, games in Artifact are drawn out. Games lasting 30-40 minutes or more are not uncommon here. Even compared to MTG Arena, this is prohibitively long, let alone some Hearthstone with its fast-paced games. Few people would agree to watch the leisurely laying out of cards for 30 minutes, or even just the player’s thoughts, during which nothing happens on the screen. This is not Dota with its insane APM.

Of course, the authors tried to somewhat enliven the playing field by adding two imps-messengers to it, who deal out cards, silently grimace, “commenting” on the position on the board and generally behave quite cheekily. But it seems that Valve went a little overboard, sometimes there is too much animation, it simply interferes and distracts from what is happening on the field. In general, the game, which uses the proprietary Source 2 engine, looks like other CCGs, simple and stylish. Instead of animating the pictures on the cards, Valve decided to voice all the cards both on the collection page and when uploading them.

So far, Artifact has been released on Steam for Windows, macOS and Linux, with a mobile version planned for 2019. I just can’t believe that Valve will give someone the right to make a profit from the sale of boosters and cards on the secondary market, so perhaps the game will not appear official stores, as happened with Epic Games' Fortnite on Android. On iOS, you won't be able to bypass the Apple store.

Whether Artifact ultimately becomes the gold standard of collectible card games, an eSports discipline, and Valve's new cash cow depends on whether the game catches on with the mass market. Considering the fairly high complexity, the paid nature of the game itself, the lack of “free” boosters, and the delay of the mobile version, this is unlikely. Having jumped immediately to 4th place in the Steam top on the very first day with a record result for a CCG on this platform of 60 thousand players on the Internet at the same time, already on the second day Artifact flew into the second ten. However, for a project of this genre the numbers are still very high. But I'm afraid that in six months Valve will have to make a Free-to-Play game and add a second currency, daily tasks and everything else that is in other modern CCGs that attract the mass player.

Well, we'll wait and see. I would like to wish Artifact success, profit and prosperity, because from a gameplay point of view it is truly the most multifaceted, complex and interesting collectible card game since the appearance of Magic: The Gathering in 1993. If you love CCGs, you simply cannot miss this game.