Valve’s New Game: Deadlock

Valve, the renowned gaming company known for critically acclaimed titles like Half-Life, Portal, and Left 4 Dead, is rumored to be developing a new hero shooter game called Deadlock. This news has sparked excitement among fans, despite some expressing disappointment that Valve may be focusing on multiplayer titles instead of single-player games.

Gameplay and Features

Deadlock is rumored to be a third-person shooter with elements of fantasy and steampunk. It features big maps and unique abilities, and is described as a fast-paced “ADHD” version of Dota 2 mixed with different elements from other ability-based shooters.

The game is believed to be a 6v6 third-person hero shooter. Each hero will have unique abilities, similar to popular hero shooters such as Overwatch 2 and Team Fortress 2. Players will also be able to buy items with their own effects and abilities, a feature that speaks more to popular MOBA titles such as Dota 2 and League of Legends.

One of the unique features of Deadlock is the presence of towers and lanes, which can be navigated via a floating railway system. This system is reminiscent of BioShock Infinite’s grapple rails. The potential for “tower defense mechanics” has also been mentioned, suggesting that the towers themselves can be modified, perhaps with their own abilities, items, and various upgrades.

Setting and Theme

Deadlock is set in a world that blends fantasy and steampunk. This setting is expected to include "magicians, weird creatures, and robots", providing a unique theme that sets Deadlock apart from other games in the genre. Most MOBA titles popular on the market lean heavily into high fantasy themes, while Overwatch is heavy on futurism. A blend of steampunk and fantasy could definitely give Deadlock a unique look and feel in what is a crowded marketplace.

Release Date

As of now, no release date has been revealed for Deadlock. Valve is known for its long development cycles, and the fact that the studio has not yet officially revealed anything about the new game speaks to it still being quite a ways out from release.

What to expect?

Despite the mixed reactions from fans, Deadlock seems to have a lot of different ingredients that could make it stand out from the hero shooter crowd. From floating rails to elements of tower defense, to the fact that it’s in third-person instead of first, Deadlock is shaping up to be an exciting addition to Valve’s portfolio.