Valve Unveils 'Deadlock': A Thrilling MOBA Shooter

Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, has finally emerged from the shadows, launching its Steam store page after a period of intense secrecy. This article delves into the game's unveiling, its impressive beta statistics, gameplay mechanics, and the controversial approach Valve has taken regarding its own Steam Store guidelines.

Deadlock Officially Lands on Steam

The gaming world buzzed as Valve confirmed Deadlock's existence and unveiled its official Steam page. The closed beta recently reached a staggering 89,203 concurrent players, more than doubling its previous peak. Previously shrouded in mystery, information about Deadlock was limited to leaks and speculation. However, Valve has now eased restrictions, allowing streaming, online discussions, and community engagement. Despite this increased transparency, the game remains invite-only and in early development, featuring placeholder art and experimental elements.

A Unique Blend of MOBA and Shooter Gameplay

Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter genres, creating a fast-paced, dynamic experience. Six-on-six combat pits teams against each other, requiring players to manage both their hero characters and squads of AI-controlled troops across multiple lanes. Frequent respawns, wave-based battles, and strategic use of abilities contribute to intense, tactical gameplay. The game boasts 20 unique heroes, each with distinctive abilities and playstyles, encouraging teamwork and experimentation.

Valve's Controversial Store Page

Ironically, Valve's Deadlock Steam page deviates from its own platform guidelines. While Steam typically requires at least five screenshots, Deadlock's page currently features only a single teaser video. This discrepancy has prompted criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as a Steamworks partner, should adhere to the same standards as other developers. This situation echoes a previous controversy involving promotional stickers on The Orange Box's store page. The publisher of B.C. Piezophile has voiced concerns about Valve undermining Steam's platform policy consistency. Given Valve's dual role as developer and platform owner, the impact of this deviation remains to be seen. The game's continued development and testing phases will likely determine how, or if, Valve addresses these concerns.