Valve's MOBA Shooter Deadlock: An Even More Exclusive Build Revealed

Valve's highly anticipated MOBA hero shooter, *Deadlock*, remains in an invite-only testing phase as the development team continues refining and expanding the game. However, a recent on-stream mishap appears to have inadvertently exposed details about an even more exclusive internal playtest, featuring previously unseen heroes and updated character designs.

The leak reportedly occurred during a livestream hosted by a top-tier *Deadlock* player, who accidentally launched the wrong game build in front of a live audience—confirming the existence of new content before its official reveal. Captured footage from the stream reveals several unreleased characters, including the retro-styled Doorman, the nerdy Bookworm, and the dark-themed Vampirebat, along with visual reworks for existing heroes like Ivy. Although the streamer quickly corrected the mistake, the information had already spread across social platforms and gaming forums.

At this time, no further details have been officially confirmed, but the incident has sparked considerable speculation within the community. While leaks are not uncommon for *Deadlock*—whose initial reveal and early gameplay elements were first uncovered through similar channels—the accidental exposure of a second, closed test environment raises questions about Valve’s development strategy.

Interestingly, while *Deadlock* is still in its early access stage, this hidden build suggests that Valve may be conducting parallel tests with smaller groups of players. This comes despite the fact that the broader public-facing version of the game has already undergone significant changes, including major balance tweaks and the removal of an entire lane. The company has previously utilized its Hero Labs mode for experimental hero testing, but this newly revealed test hints at a deeper, more secretive layer of development.

Community reactions have been mixed. Some players on the r/DeadlockTheGame subreddit expressed frustration over feeling excluded from what appears to be a privileged testing group. Others remain intrigued by the evolving nature of the game and Valve’s unconventional rollout approach.

Despite being invite-only, *Deadlock* has managed to attract a large and growing player base, drawing attention from both shooter enthusiasts and MOBA veterans. As a new title from one of gaming’s most iconic studios, every update—even those revealed unintentionally—adds to the game’s intrigue. And now, with whispers of an ultra-exclusive secondary build circulating, the mystery around *Deadlock* only deepens.

Of course, amidst all the speculation, some fans are keeping things light. One Reddit user humorously noted, “Oh great—as if one Lash wasn’t bad enough, now there are two of him!”