Steam Trading Card Game Beta Launched

The Steam Trading Cards addition has been launched in beta form. These game-specific trading cards can be collected from playing games on Steam to earn badges, profile backgrounds, and coupons.

Currently, only certain games, including Dota 2, Don't Starve, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, Portal 2, and Half-Life 2, are included in the beta. Other games will be added in the future. 

You earn these cards through gameplay and collect them from trading with other members. Once you gather a complete set, you can craft them into a unique badge. The badge then appears on your profile for others to see.

In addition, players who craft a badge will receive a random tradable reward that includes DLC, game coupons, emoticons, and profile backgrounds.

Badges will also have an experience system that adds to the user's Steam level. By leveling up, players earn non-tradable perks such as profile highlights and extra friend list slots. This is just a beta, subject to change.