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

Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, has finally emerged from the shadows with its official Steam page. This article delves into the game's recent beta statistics, gameplay mechanics, and the controversial approach Valve is taking to its own Steam Store standards.

Valve's Deadlock: A Stealth Launch and a Surprising Beta

Deadlock Officially Launches on Steam

After weeks of speculation fueled by leaks, Valve has confirmed Deadlock's existence and opened its Steam store page. The closed beta recently reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, significantly surpassing the previous high of 44,512 on August 18th. This significant jump in player numbers underscores the game's growing popularity. Previously under wraps, Deadlock's development was shrouded in secrecy, with Valve strictly limiting public discussion. However, that has changed; Valve has now lifted the restrictions, allowing streaming, community forums, and open conversations about the game. Despite this increased transparency, access remains invite-only, and the game is still considered in early development, featuring placeholder art and experimental gameplay elements.

Deadlock: A Unique MOBA/Shooter Hybrid

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter mechanics, creating a dynamic 6v6 experience. Teams battle for control, pushing lanes while managing squads of AI-controlled units. This blend of hero-based combat and strategic unit management leads to intense, fast-paced matches. Key features include frequent unit respawns, constant wave-based assaults, and the strategic use of powerful abilities and upgrades. Movement is fluid, incorporating sliding, dashing, and zip-lining. The game currently boasts a roster of 20 unique heroes, each with distinctive abilities and playstyles, encouraging diverse team compositions and strategic approaches.

Valve's Steam Store Standards Under Scrutiny

Interestingly, Deadlock's Steam page deviates from Valve's own store guidelines. While Steam typically requires at least five screenshots, Deadlock's page currently features only a single teaser video. This has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as a platform owner and developer, should uphold the same standards it sets for other developers. This isn't the first time Valve's practices have been questioned; similar controversies arose during a past sale of The Orange Box. 3DGlyptics, developer of B.C. Piezophile, has voiced concerns that Valve's actions undermine the fairness and consistency of Steam's policies. However, Valve's unique dual role as developer and platform owner complicates the issue, making traditional enforcement challenging. The future handling of this discrepancy remains to be seen.