Artifact

Artifact is a digital card game set in a fantasy world created for the MOBA game Dota 2. It was developed by Valve, the authors of such shooters as Half-Life and Team Fortress 2, as well as the puzzle game Portal.

Plot

In the universe of the game numerous civilizations are gathered around special stones, allowing them to use magic and even resurrect the dead. It should be noted, however, that the story does not have any significant role in this game, being only a plot background for individual characters and items.

Gameplay

In terms of gameplay, Artifact is a mix of collectible card games in the style of Hearthstone and Gwent with solutions used in Dota 2. Each player has his own card collection, from which he creates a deck used in duels with other players. The game board consists of three lanes, on which we place hero cards that have unique abilities modeled on those of Dota 2. It is worth noting that there is no limit to the number of cards - neither those that can be on the table at any given time, nor those that we hold in our hand.

In Artifact we can play solo, but the gameplay has been developed primarily with multiplayer mode in mind. Apart from the classic format, in which we compete with strangers, we can also create a game to which we invite friends - then it is possible to modify some of the rules.

Artifact has a rather simple, but attractive graphic design. It consists mainly of a 3D game table, nicely designed, 2D illustrations on the cards and various lighting effects accompanying different actions.

Free-to-play and micropayments

Artifact began life as a paid game with an option to trade cards on the Steam marketplace. However, in early March 2021, Valve announced the end of support. The game's servers remained on, but the developers abandoned further updates. At the same time, the game switched to a free-to-play model, so it is available for free. Micropayments were also removed and all cards were made available. Players who previously owned them received unique collector's edition versions in exchange, which can still be sold and traded on the community market.

Artifact Foundry / Classic

Long before development ended, Valve began work on a new version of the game, which was renamed Artifact Foundry in March 2021. Unlike the original production release (called Artifact Classic), the refreshed Artifact introduces over 100 new cards, and almost all of the older copies have been modified. The game also places a greater emphasis on heroes, with 20 new characters joining the ranks. Valve has also decided to change the game's interface: instead of showing each path in turn, a simplified view of all three has been introduced.

In addition, Artifact Foundry has removed most of the random events and introduced game modes absent from Artifact Classic. These include a single player campaign, a one-on-one ladder with hero matchmaking, a streamlined tutorial and puzzles where we must win in a specific situation. Valve has also allowed players to create their own puzzles and share them with other users.

Last updated on October 4, 2017