Valve’s latest venture into the competitive multiplayer landscape, Deadlock, is an ambitious, third-person hybrid that fuses the high-octane action of a shooter with the deep, strategic layers of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA). Currently in early development and undergoing viral playtesting, Deadlock presents a gritty, supernatural reimagining of urban life, where tactical precision and "murder economics" are just as important as your aim.

A Fusion of Shooter Action and MOBA Strategy

Deadlock operates on a 6v6 team-based framework, tasking players with navigating a complex battlefield to achieve victory. The gameplay loop is heavily inspired by the genre's titans, requiring teams to push through lanes to dismantle the enemy's defenses. To win a match, a team must successfully push their troopers down the lanes and destroy the opposing team's "patron"—a large, vulnerable supernatural entity located within the enemy stronghold.

The game features intense, tactical combat that rewards both quick reflexes and long-term planning. Players can utilize various traversal mechanics to maintain momentum, such as ziplines for rapid redeployment after death and teleporters to navigate the massive map. The environment is filled with shifting objectives; players may find themselves abandoning a lane to farm neutral NPCs (known as denizens), battling large golem-like guardians that act as strategic blockades, or attempting to secure special items like urns across the map.

Deep Customization and Hero Abilities

Success in Deadlock is driven by constant progression during a single match. As players kill troopers, neutral denizens, and opposing players, they accumulate "souls." These souls serve as the primary currency for upgrading hero abilities and purchasing essential items from curiosity shops. This economy of upgrades allows for a highly customizable experience, where players can pick up various "buffing bits" to bolster their character's stats and weapons.

With a roster featuring over 20 unique playable heroes (with the potential to expand beyond 30), each character brings distinct weapons, stats, and ability sets to the fight. This variety ensures that no two matches are identical, as players must adapt their builds and strategies to counter the specific threats presented by enemy compositions.

Setting: An Occult New York

The world of Deadlock is an unsettling, alternative version of Earth where the supernatural has become a tangible, undeniable reality. The setting is heavily anchored in an eerie version of New York City, specifically featuring landmarks like Central Park. In this timeline, myths and nightmares have manifested physically, bringing interdimensional visitors, hellish creatures, and animal-folk into coexistence with humanity.

The emergence of "Astral Gates"—mystical sites that appear in major urban centers—has reshaped history, turning familiar city streets into battlegrounds for supernatural conflict. This atmospheric blend of the uncanny and the urban provides a rich backdrop for the game's high-stakes combat.

Key Features at a Glance

  • Hybrid Gameplay: A seamless blend of third-person shooter mechanics and MOBA-style lane pushing and objective control.
  • Massive Roster: Play as a wide variety of unique heroes, each with specialized abilities and weaponry.
  • Dynamic Economy: Utilize souls earned through combat to purchase items and upgrade abilities in real-time.
  • Complex Traversal: Navigate the battlefield using advanced movement tools including ziplines, dashes, slides, and teleporters.
  • Atmospheric Setting: Explore a supernatural reimagining of New York City filled with occult mysteries.

Who is Deadlock for?

Deadlock is designed for players who crave high-complexity competitive play. It will appeal strongly to fans of Dota 2 and other MOBAs who enjoy deep item builds and strategic macro-management, as well as shooter enthusiasts looking for a more tactical, objective-driven experience than a standard deathmatch. However, due to its intense "murder economics" and overwhelming selection of upgrades, it is best suited for players who enjoy mastering complex systems and high-pressure team fights.

Platform Availability: PC