Valve Officially Unveils Deadlock: Everything You Need to Know About the New Game and Its Early Access on Steam

Valve has officially unveiled its latest game, Deadlock, a title that blends elements from various popular multiplayer genres. The announcement was low-key, following numerous leaks about the upcoming release.

Deadlock had been Valve’s worst-kept secret since May 2024, when the company launched a closed alpha via Steam. Participants were initially asked not to share any details about the game, but with unlimited invites being distributed, leaks quickly spread across the internet.

Deadlock’s Steam Page Goes Live

Valve finally confirmed Deadlock by launching its Steam page on the evening of August 23. The page offers limited information, describing Deadlock as a multiplayer game in early development. The current build features placeholder art and experimental gameplay, according to the product description. While the page doesn’t provide much detail about system requirements, it does specify that the game requires a 64-bit CPU and operating system. Reports from players indicate that Deadlock runs on both Windows and the Steam Deck, which uses the SteamOS 3.0 Linux distribution.

Though the Steam page lacks gameplay screenshots, it includes a brief 22-second teaser video rendered in the Source 2 engine. The video offers a glimpse of the game’s sole map, showing background characters running across a street and a detective-like figure leaning against a "Third Eye Supply" shop. This character is likely not playable, as he wasn’t mentioned in recent leaks listing the game’s 19 heroes.

At first glance, Deadlock might resemble a hero shooter, but it plays more like a traditional MOBA despite its third-person perspective. Matches take place on a large map where two teams of six players fight to control checkpoints by leading minions down four lanes, destroying enemy defenses, and purchasing upgrades. While good aim can be beneficial, the game’s design, with large health pools and numerous ways to become tankier, emphasizes strategy over reflexes. Matches typically last around 30 minutes.

Valve Lifts Content Sharing Restrictions for Deadlock

On August 18, Deadlock hit a peak of over 44,000 concurrent players, just days before its official announcement. With the game’s reveal, Valve lifted its content sharing restrictions, allowing playtesters to upload gameplay footage and screenshots freely. Although Valve has not yet confirmed the game’s business model, all signs suggest that Deadlock will be a free-to-play title.