Valve delays Artifact beta to just nine days before release

Prior to its November 28^th launch, Valve’s upcoming Artifact was supposed to receive a round of closed beta testing later this month. Sadly, it looks like things still need to be brushed up internally before this can happen, pushing the beta to just nine days before its full release.

The new November 19^th date to gain access to the beta was revealed by internal tested Wykrhm Reddy on Twitter. Valve then followed up with its own official announcements by sending out emails, as displayed on Reddit, and eventually adjusting the October placeholder on the game’s official Twitter page.

Artifact Beta #Artifact pic.twitter.com/o2mVHaFNPm

— Wykrhm Reddy (@wykrhm) October 20, 2018

While internal testing has been underway for quite some time, Valve opened the doors to its upcoming closed beta by giving out keys during PAX West and Dota 2's The International 2018. The remaining beta keys will be given out across its social media pages and to some that originally signed up for the testing period.

Fans aren’t particularly happy with the change, criticising the amount of testing time before the game’s unchanged release date. Interestingly, however, the main complaints highlight the amount of public access rather than concerns over polish and balancing. This is likely thanks to expectations put in place by Early Access games, however limited beta periods are for testing and debugging first and foremost, not to acts as a try-before-you-buy.

KitGuru Says: Valve claims that Artifact will be a highly competitive game that redefines the card game genre. Will you be jumping in on final release? Does the shift in beta affect you?

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