Valve's MOBA Shooter, Deadlock, Officially Launches on Steam

After much secrecy, Valve's new shooter Deadlock now has a Steam store page. Read on to discover what restrictions Valve has eased, Deadlock's latest beta statistics, its gameplay specifics, and why Valve's approach is intriguing.

Valve Unveils Deadlock, Breaking Its Own SilenceValve Officially Announces Deadlock's Public Release

Valve has officially unveiled Deadlock, its highly anticipated MOBA shooter, which has recently captivated the gaming community. Over the weekend, Valve confirmed the game's existence and launched its official Steam page. The closed beta for Deadlock reached a new peak with 89,203 concurrent players, more than doubling the previous peak of 44,512 on August 18.

Previously undisclosed, Deadlock was known only through leaks and rumors. Valve had maintained tight secrecy until now, but the company has now eased its restrictions. Valve has officially lifted the restrictions on public discussion of Deadlock. This means that streaming, community forums, and conversations about the game are now permitted. Despite this increased transparency, Valve emphasizes that the game remains invite-only and is still in early development with placeholder art and experimental mechanics.

Deadlock Poised To Be A MOBA Shooter

According to The Verge, Deadlock presents a dynamic mix of gameplay elements evocative of both MOBA and shooter genres. The game boasts 6-on-6 combat, akin to Overwatch, where teams contend for supremacy by repelling opponents while commanding an army of NPC soldiers across multiple lanes. This combination generates a perpetually shifting battlefield where both player-controlled heroes and NPC allies assume vital roles.

Matches in Deadlock are rapid and intense, requiring players to juggle directing their Troopers and participating in direct combat. The game’s novel mechanics incorporate frequent Trooper respawns, continuous wave-based skirmishes, and strategic deployment of potent abilities and enhancements. The gameplay stresses collaboration and tactical finesse, blending melee and ranged fighting, and incorporating movement options such as sliding, dashing, and zip-lining to traverse the map.

The game also showcases 20 distinct heroes, each possessing unique skills and gameplay styles. From traditional archetypes to creative new characters, Deadlock provides a diverse roster that promotes experimentation and cooperation. Despite being in early stages of development, the game's promise is apparent, and Valve’s strategy of soliciting player input and testing adds a dimension to its launch plan.

Valve’s Controversial Approach to Store Standards

In an unusual turn, Valve is reportedly not complying with its own Steam Store guidelines for Deadlock. According to Valve’s standards, a game page must show at least five screenshots. However, Deadlock’s store page currently displays only a single teaser video, which shows a brief, atmospheric glimpse of an alley and passing figures with weapons.

This inconsistency has prompted criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as a Steamworks Partner, should abide by the same rules as other developers. A similar debate arose during a March 2024 sale of The Orange Box, a bundle that includes Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode 1, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal, where Valve was criticized for adding promotional stickers to its store page, though this matter was later resolved. Valve’s departure from its own rules has been noted by 3DGlyptics, the publisher and developer of B.C. Piezophile, who asserts that Valve weakens the consistency and fairness of Steam’s platform policies.

Despite the dispute, Valve’s unique role as both a game developer and platform proprietor means that standard enforcement methods may not be applicable. As Deadlock proceeds through its development and testing phases, it remains to be seen how Valve will resolve these concerns, if at all.