10 Video Game Announcements NO ONE Wanted To Believe
8. Artifact (2018)
Back in 2017, it had been a while since developer Valve had announced a new IP, riding on the good will and player base of games like Half-Life and Left 4 Dead, and putting a lot of focus on Defence of the Ancients 2. And, during The International, the DotA 2 tournament in Seattle, Valve decided to surprise-announce a brand new video game, using such a large gathering of fans to their advantage.
Everyone waited with baited breath, hoping for Half-Life 3, Left 4 Dead 3, or even just another update for DotA 2, but what they got they could hardly believe. Broadcaster Sean Plott introduced a short teaser video with a prominently featured triangular logo, which ended with the title Artifact: The Dota Card Game.
The DotA digital card game was received like a slap in the face, with loud, vocal disappointment from the assembled crowd. Of everything people were hoping for from Valve, it was not DotA Yu-Gi-Oh. And for Plott to conclude the announcement with his own description of having played test versions of the game - and no actual gameplay or screenshots - just added insult to injury.