[Update #2]: Valve is ceasing all development on Artifact and Artifact 2.0.

[Update]: Valve has detailed the core mechanic and progression changes coming with Artifact 2.0.

After Artifact lost the vast majority of its playerbase and failed to meet the expectations of both Valve and the community, the developers hunkered down and started working on a massive update. Very little was heard from the team since, and with month after month quickly passing by, Artifact's future didn't exactly look bright.

However, I'm pleased to say that Valve is not only still working on Artifact, but that they are pretty much reworking it from the ground up. The details are still few and far between, but what I can tell you is that the gameplay will still revolve around three lanes, though the camera will be zoomed out and allow you to view and access all three at once.

Perhaps more importantly, Artifact's absurd monetization system is getting the axe. Artifact 2.0 will not be selling cards in any way, so the playing field should be pretty equal between even veterans and new players. There will also be a brand new Hero Draft mode that gives you a taste for constructing decks without any of the pressure. How exactly it'll work, that still remains to be seen.

On a similar note, while no concrete information has been given, the Artifact Beta 2.0 will likely be starting soon. The initial version will only host a small amount of randomly chosen players that have previously bought Artifact, though each subsequent wave will add more and more people.

Once the beta goes live I'll make sure to let you know, but until then you can read a little bit more about Valve's plans over at Steam.