Deadlock, Valve’s Upcoming MOBA Shooter, Officially Revealed on Steam

After a period of intense secrecy, Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, finally has its own Steam store page. Let's dive into the details: the lifted restrictions, the impressive beta stats, the unique gameplay, and the eyebrow-raising approach Valve is taking.

Valve Unveils Deadlock: Breaking the Silence

Deadlock Officially Launches on Steam

The cat's out of the bag! Valve has officially announced Deadlock, its much-anticipated MOBA shooter, and it's already making waves. Over the weekend, the game's official Steam page went live, confirming its existence and generating significant excitement. The closed beta recently reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players—more than double the previous peak of 44,512 on August 18th.

Previously shrouded in mystery, Deadlock was only known through leaks and speculation. Valve maintained a tight lid on information until now, but that's changed. Restrictions on public discussion have been lifted, meaning streaming, community websites, and open conversations are now permitted. However, it's important to note that the game remains invite-only and is still in early access, featuring placeholder art and experimental gameplay elements.

Deadlock: A Unique Blend of MOBA and Shooter

As reported by The Verge, Deadlock masterfully blends MOBA and shooter mechanics. Imagine 6v6 combat, reminiscent of Overwatch, but with a strategic twist. Teams battle for control, pushing back opponents while simultaneously managing armies of AI-controlled grunts across multiple lanes. This creates a dynamic and ever-changing battlefield where both player-controlled heroes and AI allies are critical to success.

Deadlock matches are fast-paced and intense. Players must skillfully balance leading their Trooper units with direct combat engagements. Innovative mechanics include frequent Trooper respawns, constant wave-based battles, and strategic use of powerful abilities and upgrades. The gameplay emphasizes coordination and tactical depth, incorporating melee and ranged combat, and movement options like sliding, dashing, and zip-lining for navigating the map. With 20 unique heroes, each boasting distinct abilities and playstyles, Deadlock offers a diverse roster encouraging experimentation and teamwork. Despite being in early development, the game's potential is undeniable, and Valve's focus on player feedback through testing adds an intriguing dimension to its release strategy.

Valve's Controversial Steam Store Approach

Here's where things get interesting. Valve appears to be deviating from its own Steam Store guidelines for Deadlock. Steam standards typically require at least five screenshots for a game page. However, Deadlock's page currently only features a single teaser video, showing a brief atmospheric shot of an alleyway.

This inconsistency has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as a Steamworks partner, should adhere to the same rules as other developers. This echoes a similar debate surrounding a March 2024 sale of The Orange Box, where Valve faced criticism for promotional stickers on its store page (an issue later addressed). 3DGlyptics, the publisher and developer of B.C. Piezophile, has pointed out that Valve's actions undermine the consistency and fairness of Steam's platform policies.

However, Valve's unique dual role as both developer and platform owner complicates matters. Traditional enforcement mechanisms may not apply. As Deadlock continues its development and testing, it remains to be seen how, or if, Valve will address these concerns.