Well it finally happened. An actual new game release from Valve on Steam, with the arrival of its trading card game Artifact - the studio's collaboration with “Magic: The Gathering” creator Richard Garfield. Although set in the DOTA 2 universe, Artifact is not free-to-play, but features a real-money trading system, in addition to mechanics and gameplay that on the surface represent a far more complex game than what you'd might expect.

Which means that the "Introducing Artifact" trailer doesn't really introduce what the game is in any meaningful way. Well, it does showcase that it's highly detailed visually.

THE CARD GAME REIMAGINED

A collaboration between legendary card game designer Richard Garfield and Valve, Artifact is a digital card game that combines deeply-strategic, competitive gameplay with the rich setting of Dota 2. The result is an immersive and visually-stunning trading card game unlike any other.

STRATEGY UNBOUNDED

Wield your deck across three lanes of combat, answer every move of your opponent with one of your own. Unlimited hand size. Unlimited number of units you control. Unlimited mana you can employ.

It’s up to you to decide the best way to navigate the constantly shifting tide of battle.

FUN WITH FRIENDS

If you’ve played card games around a kitchen table, you know the enjoyment that can come with house rules. Artifact allows you and your friends complete control in creating a tournament. Simply select your elimination or non-elimination format and deck constraints; then, challenge your friends to a crucible of your own design.

COMPETE GLOBALLY

Want to test your skill against the world at large? Valve-sponsored gauntlets and tournaments will give players the opportunity to not just play Artifact for the joy of mastery, but to win prizes based upon their level of play.

"We hope all gamers enjoy Artifact, especially fans of Dota 2 and card gaming enthusiasts," said Valve's Gabe Newell. "Working with Richard Garfield has been an incredible opportunity for everyone at Valve, and we look forward to expanding the game with him based upon feedback and input from the community."

"Working on Artifact has been fantastic - a digital card game which really leverages what is made possible by the medium rather than being limited by it," said Richard Garfield. "That has been a long time dream of mine and Valve has been a terrific partner in the development."

With monetisation part of the picture in addition to the upfront cost, there has naturally been some backlash - most notably during the beta when it was revealed that players had to pay every time they wanted to experience the competitive mode. Valve is still fine tuning things of course, but with the game officially out today it'll be interesting to see the response over time. Also, as we haven't played it yet - exactly what it is too, because even after watching a few videos we have no idea what's going on.