Valve's New MOBA Shooter 'Deadlock' Unveiled

Valve's enigmatic new shooter, Deadlock, finally has a Steam page. This article delves into the recently lifted restrictions, beta statistics, gameplay mechanics, and the controversial approach Valve is taking.

Valve's Deadlock: Emerging from the Shadows

Deadlock Officially Launches on Steam

After much anticipation, Valve has unveiled Deadlock, its MOBA-shooter hybrid, generating significant buzz. The weekend saw the official Steam page launch, confirming the game's existence. The closed beta reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, more than double the previous high of 44,512 on August 18th.

Previously veiled in secrecy, Deadlock was known only through leaks. Valve's strict confidentiality has eased, allowing streaming, community discussions, and website coverage. However, it remains invite-only and in early development, featuring placeholder art and experimental elements.

Deadlock: A MOBA Shooter Hybrid

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter gameplay, according to The Verge. 6v6 matches, reminiscent of Overwatch, involve pushing lanes while managing NPC units. This creates dynamic battles where both player heroes and AI allies are crucial.

Fast-paced combat requires players to balance leading their Troopers with direct engagement. Frequent Trooper respawns, wave-based battles, and strategic ability use are core mechanics. The game emphasizes coordination, featuring melee and ranged combat, and movement options like sliding and zip-lining.

With 20 unique heroes, Deadlock offers diverse playstyles and encourages teamwork. Despite its early stage, the game shows promise, and Valve's focus on player feedback is a noteworthy aspect of its release strategy.

Valve's Steam Store Standards Controversy

Ironically, Deadlock seemingly violates Valve's own Steam Store guidelines. The page currently features only a short teaser video, falling short of the required five screenshots.

This has drawn criticism, questioning whether Valve, as a Steamworks partner, should adhere to its own rules. This echoes a similar debate during a March 2024 sale of The Orange Box, where Valve faced criticism for promotional stickers on its store page. 3DGlyptics, developer of B.C. Piezophile, points to this as undermining Steam's policy consistency.

However, Valve's dual role as developer and platform owner complicates enforcement. Deadlock's future development will reveal how, or if, Valve addresses these concerns.