Deadlock
Deadlock is a 6v6 third-person shooter and MOBA developed by Valve Corporation. The game blends MOBA and hero shooter gameplay. 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 6—The Sapphire Flame and The Amber Hand—battle on a city map with 4 lanes. The objective is to destroy the enemy's Patron, a massive golem, while defending your own. Players control Heroes with upgradable abilities, and items are bought using souls. Souls are earned by defeating enemies and completing tasks. They can also unlock 'boons' from Patrons, which boost Hero stats.
Heroes level up, unlock abilities, and equip items in slots for Weapon, Vitality, and Spirit. Additional Flex slots are unlocked by completing objectives. The game blends elements of shooters and MOBAs. It focuses on tactics, teamwork, and strategy, with third-person skill shots, movement, and gunplay. The game also has a unique zipline system for long-distance transportation.
Development
Deadlock was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called Neon Prime. It was called numerous names in its earliest stages of development. Valve trademarked Neon Prime in October 2022. The game was renamed to Deadlock later that year. The game was leaked on various occasions from 2022 to 2024. Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024.
Setting & Theme
The game has a low fantasy theme and is set in the alternative early 1900s United States. The game's current map, called The "Cursed Apple", is implied to be a part of 'New York', where matches, called "The Ritual" take place. Heroes are based on various tropes and ideas associated with the time, while containing many unique contributions.
Lore
In the world of Deadlock, occult rituals and magic anomalies are commonplace and heavily regulated. The Ritual is held between two Patrons, and whichever side is victorious will 'spawn' their Patron into their world, allowing them to grant their side a "boon". Fantastic events are a deeply woven part of the game's lore and are often an explanation for heroes' abilities. There is currently not much known about the game's lore outside of in-game hero descriptions and a leaked graphic novel featuring Lady Geist and Infernus.