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

Valve's mysterious new shooter, Deadlock, finally has a Steam page. This article explores the game's recent beta success, its unique MOBA-shooter gameplay, and the controversy surrounding Valve's relaxed approach to its own Steam store guidelines.

Valve's Deadlock Emerges from the Shadows

Deadlock Officially Launches on Steam

After a period of intense speculation fueled by leaks, Valve has officially unveiled Deadlock, its highly anticipated MOBA-shooter hybrid. The game's Steam page is now live, confirming its existence and marking a significant shift in Valve's communication strategy. The recent closed beta reached a staggering peak of 89,203 concurrent players, more than double its previous high of 44,512 on August 18th.

Previously cloaked in secrecy, Deadlock's development was only known through whispers and leaks. Valve's decision to lift the veil of secrecy and allow open discussion—including streaming and community engagement—is a notable departure from its previous tight-lipped approach. While more transparent, Valve emphasizes that the game remains invite-only and is still in its early stages, featuring placeholder art and experimental gameplay elements.

A Unique MOBA-Shooter Hybrid

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter mechanics in a dynamic 6v6 experience reminiscent of Overwatch. Teams battle for control, pushing lanes while managing squads of AI-controlled units. This creates a fluid battlefield where both player heroes and AI allies are critical to success.

Gameplay is fast-paced, demanding players juggle direct combat with commanding their troops. Frequent unit respawns, constant wave-based attacks, strategic ability use, and upgrades all contribute to the intense action. Movement is key, with options including sliding, dashing, and zip-lining. The diverse roster of 20 heroes, each with unique abilities, promotes experimentation and teamwork. Despite being early in development, Deadlock shows great potential, and Valve's focus on player feedback during testing is a unique aspect of its launch strategy.

Valve's Steam Store Standards Under Scrutiny

Ironically, Deadlock's Steam page deviates from Valve's own store guidelines. Valve's standards typically require at least five screenshots, yet Deadlock's page currently features only a single teaser video.

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 controversy surrounding the March 2024 sale of The Orange Box, where Valve faced criticism for promotional stickers on its store page. 3DGlyptics, the developer of B.C. Piezophile, has pointed out this perceived double standard, highlighting the potential for unfairness in Steam's platform policies.

However, Valve's dual role as developer and platform owner complicates the situation. The enforcement of its own rules remains unclear, and the future handling of these concerns regarding Deadlock remains to be seen.