Valve Is Asking Players What Features They Want Prioritized In Artifact Beta 2 0

Valve is asking Artifact players what they want to see prioritized in the game’s extended beta test phase.

Work continues on Valve’s failed card game, Artifact. After taking the game down last year for a thorough rethink, Valve re-launched Artifact into a brand new beta test, calling in Artifact Beta 2.0. This closed beta saw many changes to Artifact’s core systems, including a new board layout and a completely new way to acquire cards through gameplay rather than paying money.

Valve is also taking it slow with Beta 2.0, noting that they might have rushed things a bit the first time around. With each new wave of players that Valve invites to try the game, they’re slowly gathering data that they’re using to make iterative improvements. They’ve already identified two key priorities that Artifact needs in order to succeed, including better definitions for keywords and explanations for how a card will function once it’s played, as well as a better tutorial than the game’s current starter campaign.

Those priorities are aimed squarely at getting new players on board with Artifact 2.0, but Valve doesn’t want current beta testers to get bored. That’s why they’re asking players to see what new game mode they want to see added to the game. Players can vote for a “full-deck draft mode” that’s similar to what was featured in Artifact 1.0, a ranked constructed queue, “advanced hero draft mode” that is sort of in-between hero daft and full-deck draft, a new tournament system, or something else entirely.

All suggestions are to be emailed to ArtifactBetaFeedback@valvesoftware.com. Only current beta testers can respond, so outsiders should keep their comments to themselves.

Valve has also completed its recent item survey to get a better sense of item balance. According to the results, Hero’s Cape, Guardian Greaves, Holy Locket, Spirit Vessel, Vladimir’s Offering, and Radiance were all voted too expensive for the effects they had in the game, while Sorla Khan’s Spear and Vesture of the Tyrant were voted as the best bang for your buck. Vesture of the Tyrant was also voted the worst item to play against, so Valve is likely to adjust that item a bit by moving its tier.

There’s still no date on when Artifact will move to an open beta, and we don’t expect to hear of one anytime soon. That said, if you played the original Artifact, then you should get an invite to the closed beta soon if you haven’t already.

Source: Valve