Deadlock

Deadlock, developed by Valve Corporation, is a third-person shooter first publicly announced on August 23, 2024. The game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement. The initial distribution method involved inviting players through the Steam friends list feature. The game is still in development and is played in an Early Development Build.

Gameplay

Deadlock's gameplay is charcterized by it's unique combination of MOBA and hero shooter features. The game is played on a 4-lane, MOBA style Map between 2 teams of 6 players. The game features a roster of numerous heroes. Similar to a MOBA, there are mechanics such as troopers, a jungle area, layers of defenses, a core objective, and item management. However, typical of a TPS, the game features third-person gunplay and omnidirectional movement.

Furthermore, the game includes movement mechanics such as sliding and a unique zip-line system.

Theme and Setting

The game has a fantasy theme and is set in the early 1900's United States. The game's map is a city based on the intended theme. Heroes are based on various tropes and ideas associated with the time while containing many unique contributions.

Lore

There is currently not much known about the lore of the game outside of in-game hero descriptions and a leaked graphic novel featuring Lady Geist and Infernus. Fantastic events are a deeply woven part of the game's lore and are often an explanation for heroes' abilities.