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

Valve's new MOBA shooter, Deadlock, officially arrives on Steam! After a period of secrecy, the game's Steam page is live, revealing beta stats, gameplay details, and a controversial approach to Steam's own store guidelines.

Deadlock Emerges from the Shadows

Valve has finally confirmed Deadlock's existence and launched its official Steam page. The closed beta recently reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, a significant jump from its previous high. Previously shrouded in mystery, Deadlock is now open for public discussion, with streaming and community engagement now permitted. However, access remains invite-only, and the game is still in early development, featuring placeholder art and experimental mechanics.

MOBA Meets Shooter: A Unique Blend of Gameplay

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter mechanics, pitting two teams of six against each other in intense 6v6 battles. Players command a squad of AI-controlled units while simultaneously engaging in direct combat as a hero character. The fast-paced action involves managing troop waves, utilizing powerful abilities, and navigating the map with diverse movement options. The game boasts a roster of 20 unique heroes, each with distinct skills and playstyles.

Valve's Store Page Controversy

Interestingly, Deadlock's Steam page deviates from Valve's own store guidelines. While Steam typically requires at least five screenshots, Deadlock currently only features a single teaser video. This inconsistency has drawn criticism, with some arguing Valve should hold itself to the same standards as other developers. This situation echoes past controversies surrounding Valve's promotional practices on Steam. The debate highlights the complexities of a company acting as both developer and platform owner.

The future of Deadlock and Valve's approach to its own store guidelines remains to be seen. As the game progresses through development and testing, it will be interesting to observe how Valve addresses these concerns.