Valve's MOBA Shooter Revealed

Valve's Mysterious MOBA Shooter, Deadlock, Emerges from the Shadows on Steam

After a period of intense secrecy, Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, has finally made its official debut on Steam. Let's delve into the details of this intriguing title, its recent beta success, gameplay mechanics, and the controversy surrounding Valve's approach to its own platform standards.

Valve Officially Unveils Deadlock

The gaming world is buzzing after Valve confirmed Deadlock's existence and launched its Steam store page. The closed beta recently reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, a significant jump from the previous high of 44,512. This surge in player engagement underscores the considerable anticipation surrounding the game. Following a period of tight-lipped secrecy, Valve has now loosened restrictions, allowing streaming, community discussions, and other public engagement. However, it's crucial to remember that Deadlock remains invite-only and is still in its early development stages, featuring placeholder art and experimental elements.

Deadlock: A Unique Blend of MOBA and Shooter

Deadlock blends the fast-paced action of a shooter with the strategic depth of a MOBA. The 6v6 gameplay, reminiscent of Overwatch, involves pushing lanes while managing waves of NPC units. This dynamic creates a constantly shifting battlefield where player heroes and AI allies are equally important.

The gameplay emphasizes teamwork and tactical decision-making. Players must juggle controlling their Trooper units with direct combat participation. Frequent Trooper respawns, wave-based battles, strategic ability use, and upgrades keep the action intense. Movement options like sliding, dashing, and zip-lining add another layer of tactical complexity. The game currently boasts 20 unique heroes, each with distinct abilities and playstyles, promising a varied and engaging experience.

Valve's Steam Store Standards Controversy

Valve's handling of Deadlock's Steam page has sparked debate. While Steam guidelines typically require at least five screenshots, Deadlock's page currently features only a single teaser video. This departure from established standards has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as both developer and platform owner, should uphold the same rules it sets for other developers. This situation echoes similar past controversies, highlighting inconsistencies in the application of Steam's policies. The implications of this deviation for other developers remain a point of discussion.

Despite the controversy, Deadlock's Steam page launch signals a significant step forward for the game's development. As the game progresses through its testing phases, Valve's approach and its potential impact on the Steam ecosystem will continue to be closely scrutinized.