Steam Trading Cards Beta is Available

Valve Corporation have recently introduced another new collectible to their expanding Steam system. It is sort of like the current achievements and badges but instead focuses on some good old fashioned trading card action. Steam Trading Cards is currently in Beta but you can already start earning cards in a select number of games.

You can currently start collecting trading cards in: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Portal 2, Half-Life 2, Team Fortress 2 and Don’t Starve.

From steamcommunity.com: “Steam Trading Cards are virtual cards earned by playing games on Steam. Sets of cards can be turned into game badges and tradable Steam community items.”

Collecting full sets will allow you to convert the cards into badges which will reward random in-game emoticons, Steam profile backgrounds, a discount for different Steam games or 100 experience points to increase your overall Steam Level. Badges can then be upgraded by collecting another set of cards which will earn you an extra 100 experience points.

Steam Levels give increased friend list size and more showcase slots for your favorite games, achievements, screenshots and other stuff like that. However Showcases only unlock at Steam Level 10 and then every 10 from then on.

Only half the trading cards will drop in-game with the other half requiring you to trade with other members of the community. You can find out more by reading the FAQ.

The whole Trading Card system is supported by a new profile look and more. To see what the new profile will look like and start to earn cards, you will need take part in the Steam Trading Cards Beta.

“The profile gets a visual refresh and a more concentrated focus on what you play and how you participate on Steam. And with showcases, you decide what to feature.”

I am probably going to check it out more soon but so far it looks good and is an interesting way to expand the lifespan of old games without just resorting to achievements all the time.

Some of my other Valve Corporation posts:

• Steam Community Market Public Beta is Now Available.
• Valve Corporation Has Confirmed a Steam Box Console.
• Video Game Making Software Now Available on Steam.
• Developers will Now Need to Pay $100 to Get Listed on Steam Greenlight.
• Steam Greenlight is Available.
• Steam is Going Beyond Just Video Games.
• Steam Mobile Application Closed Beta has Started. Also Nine Screenshots of the Steam Application [Updated!].
• Impressive Steam Statistics.