| Artifact | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Valve |
| Publisher(s) | Valve |
| Director(s) | Brandon Reinhart[1] |
| Designer(s) | Richard Garfield |
| Programmer(s) | |
| Writer(s) | Steve Jaros |
| Composer(s) | Tim Larkin |
| Series | Dota |
| Engine | Source 2 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | November 28, 2018 |
| Genre(s) | Digital collectible card game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Artifact is a 2018 digital collectible card game developed and published by Valve for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It focuses on online player-versus-player battles and is based on the universe of Dota 2, a multiplayer online battle arena game by Valve. Artifact was designed by Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield.
While Artifact's gameplay and drafting mechanics received praise, it was criticized for its high learning curve and monetization model, which some saw as pay-to-win. It saw a 95% decline in players within two months of its release, with only around a hundred concurrent players by mid-2019. Valve was surprised by the response, describing it as the largest discrepancy between their expectations for a game and the outcome.
Valve reworked the game as Artifact 2.0, altering several features, including removing the need to buy or trade cards with money. It was tested through a closed beta starting in March 2020. A year later, Valve announced that it had ceased development of the game, citing a lack of player interest, and made both versions of the game freeware. The original Artifact was renamed Artifact Classic and Artifact 2.0 was renamed Artifact Foundry.
- ^ Machkovech, Sam (August 31, 2018). "Exclusive: Valve walks us through Artifact's new demo, leaves us wanting more". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ Lawle, Richard (August 9, 2017). "Valve reveals 'Artifact,' the official 'Dota' card game". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ a b Wood, Austin (May 8, 2018). "Artifact feels like Valve's solution to post-Hearthstone card games". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.