Deadlock is a 6v6 third-person shooter and MOBA developed by Valve Corporation. It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024.[1] 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 through an Early Development Build.[1]

Deadlock's logo.

Gameplay

In Deadlock, the goal is to destroy the enemy's Patron while protecting your own. The map has four lanes with Walkers/Guardians that funnel waves of troopers. 2 teams of 6 players, the Sapphire Flame and the Amber Hand, use Heroes with unique, upgradable abilities. Souls are the main resource, serving as both experience and currency. Collecting them empowers the team, unlocks 'boons,' and boosts Hero stats.

Heroes level up to gain stronger abilities and have four item slots for Weapons, Vitality, and Spirit. Additional Flex slots unlock by completing map objectives. Players use souls to buy items, earned by actions like killing creeps, defeating enemies, and destroying defenses. Deadlock draws from Dota 2, focusing on tactics, teamwork, and strategy in a third-person perspective, blending skill-shots, movement, and gunplay.

Development

Deadlock was originally meant to be a futuristic third-person MOBA called Neon Prime. It was called numerous names in it's earliest stages of development. Valve trademarked Neon Prime on October 2022. The game was later renamed as Deadlock. The game was leaked on various occasions from 2022 to 2024. Valve listed the game on Steam in 2024.

Theme and Setting

The game has a fantasy theme and is set in the early 1900's United States where occult rituals and magic anomalies are common place and heavily regulated. The game's current map is implied to be this universe's version of 'New York', where the ritual takes place. The ritual is between two patrons and whichever side is victorious will 'spawn' the patron into their world, allowing them to grant their side a 'boon'. 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.

References