The long awaited Dota 2 card game, Artifact, has officially launched on Steam. Previously, the game was only available to those possessing a beta key.

Similar to Blizzard’s Hearthstone, Artifact follows the same formula by applying a franchise’s universe into a card game. However, unlike Hearthstone, Artifact took more aspects from the game it was based on. In this case, Artifact’s three boards represent the three lanes in Dota 2. Furthermore, the player’s primary objective is to destroy the opposition towers similar to Dota 2. Other aspects like creep waves and respawn timers also found its way into the game.

In conjunction with the launch, Valve released a trailer and a comic to get players started. The comic adds new elements into the lore and mythology of the Dota 2 universe. Fans of the lore should take a look at it.

Furthermore, they released a new card set for the game titled Call to Arms. Players who played in the beta will recognise some of the cards in the pack. Cards like Kanna and Thunderhide Alpha from the new set were well received in the beta due to their utility and strengths.

As an added bonus, Dota 2 players will receive a free one month subscription for Dota Plus if they buy Artifact. For those who do not know, Dota Plus is a subscription service in Dota 2 where players can compare their stats with global average stats to determine their gameplay level. In addition, players can also exchange points for cosmetic sets in Dota Plus.

With the release on PC already done, all that remains is a mobile version like Hearthstone. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until next year for the mobile’s release.

For more information on Artifact, you can visit the official site.