Valve's MOBA Shooter 'Deadlock' Debuts on Steam

Valve's mysterious new shooter, Deadlock, finally has a Steam page. This article explores the recent lifting of restrictions, the beta's impressive player count, gameplay details, and the controversy surrounding Valve's approach.

Valve's Deadlock: Emerging from the Shadows

Deadlock Officially Launches on Steam

Valve has unveiled Deadlock, its highly anticipated MOBA shooter, generating significant buzz. The Steam page launch follows a closed beta that peaked at 89,203 concurrent players, a substantial increase from the previous high of 44,512.

Previously cloaked in secrecy, Deadlock's existence was only known through leaks. Valve's decision to relax its confidentiality policy now allows streaming, community discussions, and website coverage. However, it remains invite-only and in early development, featuring placeholder art and experimental mechanics.

Deadlock: A MOBA-Shooter Hybrid

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter gameplay, featuring 6v6 combat akin to Overwatch. Teams battle for control, managing NPC units across multiple lanes. This creates dynamic, fast-paced matches demanding strategic balance between commanding troops and direct combat.

Key mechanics include frequent Trooper respawns, wave-based battles, and strategic ability/upgrade utilization. The game emphasizes coordination and tactical depth, incorporating melee and ranged combat, along with movement options like sliding, dashing, and zip-lining. With 20 unique heroes, Deadlock prioritizes teamwork and experimentation.

Valve's Steam Store Standards Under Scrutiny

Interestingly, Deadlock's Steam page deviates from Valve's own store guidelines. While typically requiring at least five screenshots, Deadlock currently only features a single teaser video.

This inconsistency has drawn criticism, with some arguing Valve, as a Steamworks partner, should uphold its own standards. This mirrors a similar controversy surrounding a 2024 sale of The Orange Box. 3DGlyptics, developer of B.C. Piezophile, highlights this as undermining Steam's policy consistency and fairness.

However, Valve's dual role as developer and platform owner complicates enforcement. The future handling of these concerns remains to be seen.