Deadlock
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]
Gameplay
In Deadlock, two teams of six—The Sapphire Flame and The Amber Hand—compete in a 6v6. The map features 4 lanes guarded by Walkers and Guardians that funnel waves of troopers. The goal is to destroy the enemy's Patron, a massive golem, while protecting your own. Players control Heroes with unique, upgradable abilities, using souls for both experience and currency. Souls empower the team, unlock 'boons,' from Patrons and boost Hero stats.
Heroes level up to unlock stronger abilities and can equip items in 3 slots for Weapons, Vitality, and Spirit. Additional Flex slots unlock by completing map objectives, and players use souls earned by actions like killing creeps, defeating enemies, and destroying defenses. Players can also traverse the map using ziplines. Deadlock draws from both shooters and MOBAs, emphasizing 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.