Valve's infamous Artifact is returning as Beta 2.0 and signups are starting as early as next week!

This news comes after Valve talked about Artifact's return a month and a half ago. If you're interested in getting in on the beta test, there's some good news and some bad news. The good news is that if you purchased the game prior to March 30, 2020, you're prioritized to join the beta and you'll be sent an email next week with details on how you can signup. The bad news is that not everyone is going to get in right away as Valve wants to trickle the invites out.

Player collections will be changing quite a bit with cards now being unlocked through gameplay rather than through the purchase of packs or cards themselves directly. Valve has stated though they have plans for other sales with more details coming at a later date.

It looks like we'll be getting a much longer beta this time around since Valve says that "the Beta for the original game started too late and was too short". Previously, beta lasted all of 9 days, starting on November 9, 2018 and ending with the initial launch on November 28, 2018. Hopefully, things will be better this time around and Valve will take into account feedback from the community before making their final launch decisions.

Quote From Valve

We are happy to announce that we are moving to the next phase of the Beta!

The Beta for the original game started too late and was too short. We’ve decided to approach things a bit differently this time around by gradually inviting people to join us while we are still “Under Construction”.

Here’s the updated road-map:
  1. Test boring stuff
  2. Trickle out invites, starting with players of the original release <- We are here
  3. Work on the Beta, eventually transitioning to an open beta
  4. Leave Beta

We will be sending an email to all players with the original game on their Steam Account (it doesn’t need to be installed). Emails will appear by NEXT WEEK. Follow the instructions in the email to sign up for the Beta.

We will use a lottery system to invite people who have opted in. Access to the Beta will remain closed until we’ve worked though the signups from players of the original. Communication about the game will remain open for the duration of the Beta.

FAQ:

What are we testing?
Gameplay, Balance, Hero Identity, Color Identity, Social Features, Card Unlocks, Ranked Play, Replays, Spectating and the Campaign.

What aren’t we testing?
Some gameplay modes will be locked. Tournaments and draft modes, other than Hero Draft, won’t be available until we add more players. The tutorial is disabled since we are only inviting players of the original game - the campaign should be a good refresher if you haven’t played in a while.

Who should join?
There will be bugs, temp art, and data may be reset early in the beta. Some players may wish to wait until the game is further along to start playing, but there is no harm in signing up early.

How do I get in?
If you played Artifact 1.0, and would like to help us test, check your email for a sign-up link. Slots are limited- but we will be gradually adding more and more people to the beta, so don’t worry if you don’t get in right away!

But I’m a member of the press/an influencer/etc. Can I get in?
Selection for invites will be randomly generated. So… absolutely maybe!

If I get in, are there any restrictions on what I'm allowed to say/stream/share?
There are no restrictions. Due to the slow ramp in beta invites, professional streamers may want to wait until Open Beta where there will be a more significant player base.

I didn’t play the original. If I buy the original game now, will I be able to get in?
Not yet. We are prioritizing people who purchased before March 30, 2020.

Will my stats, cards, decks, etc. be transferred from the original game?
In the new version cards are unlocked through play. Individual cards are likely to have been changed, removed, or brand new; so old decks and stats wouldn’t be valid.

Can I buy cards/packs in the Beta?
We have some ideas about what we’d like to sell, but none of them are cards/packs.