Ever since the first leaks about Deadlock came out in May, Valve’s next game has been in a bit of a weird limbo. This game has garnered significant attention with hundreds of gameplay videos circulating, a public subreddit, and a peak player count of over 44,000 owing to widespread invite distribution, including to Steam tracking website, SteamDB.
Game’s Official Acknowledgment
Despite the buzz surrounding it, the studio itself had refused to acknowledge Deadlock’s existence until today. However, the game now has a Steam store page, allowing open discussions and sharing of clips, activities which have been ongoing despite the lack of official confirmation. The Deadlock store page is minimalistic, leaving much to the imagination; it merely includes a teaser video, some low-resolution key art, and numerous reminders that the game remains a work in progress.
Current Game Information
As per its topline description, “Deadlock is a multiplayer game in early development,” emphasizing that the game is in its nascent stages with temporary art and experimental gameplay. Currently, it isn’t even available for wishlisting. A Valve employee, appearing under the handle Yoshi, announced on the preview Discord that the restrictions on public conversation about Deadlock have been lifted. This is a notable shift, allowing for streaming, community websites, and discussions, although the game remains in an invite-only early development stage.
Community and Future Prospects
While this announcement is a welcome change, practically speaking, it doesn’t alter much about Deadlock. The game is out there, people have been playing, watching, and talking about it, and invites continue to be shared among players. For now, enthusiasts eagerly await more polished content, perhaps akin to the cherished
