Valve's Secretive MOBA Shooter, Deadlock, Officially Launches on Steam
Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, has finally emerged from the shadows, boasting a newly launched Steam page. This follows a closed beta that saw a record-breaking 89,203 concurrent players, significantly surpassing previous peaks.
A MOBA Shooter Hybrid
Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter mechanics in a unique 6v6 format. Teams battle for control, pushing back opponents while simultaneously managing waves of AI-controlled units across multiple lanes. This fast-paced action requires players to juggle direct combat with strategic troop management, utilizing abilities, upgrades, and dynamic movement options like sliding and zip-lining.
The game features a diverse roster of 20 heroes, each with distinct abilities and playstyles, encouraging experimentation and teamwork. Frequent Trooper respawns and constant wave-based battles maintain a high-octane pace.
Valve's Relaxed Approach (and Controversy)
While lifting restrictions on public discussion, Deadlock remains invite-only and in early development. However, Valve's decision to deviate from its own Steam Store guidelines, notably the minimum screenshot requirement, has drawn criticism. The current Steam page features only a single teaser video.
This has sparked debate about fairness and consistency within the Steam platform, raising questions about whether Valve, as both developer and platform owner, should be held to the same standards as other developers. The situation mirrors past controversies surrounding Valve's own game promotions on Steam. Whether Valve will address these concerns remains to be seen. Despite the controversy, Deadlock's innovative gameplay and the inclusion of player feedback during development create intriguing anticipation for its future.
