Valve's New MOBA Shooter, Deadlock, Officially Launches on Steam
After much anticipation, Valve's secretive new game, Deadlock, has finally arrived on Steam. This MOBA-shooter hybrid has already generated significant buzz, boasting impressive beta numbers and unique gameplay. Let's dive into the details and explore the controversy surrounding Valve's approach.
Deadlock: A MOBA Shooter Hybrid
Valve's official Steam page confirms the existence of Deadlock, a 6v6 MOBA shooter that blends elements of Overwatch and other genre staples. The recent closed beta reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, a substantial increase from its previous high. The game features intense, fast-paced matches where players command both hero characters and squads of AI-controlled units ("Troopers") across multiple lanes. Strategic troop management, combined with direct hero combat, is key to victory.
Deadlock's gameplay includes frequent Trooper respawns, wave-based battles, and the use of powerful abilities and upgrades. With 20 unique heroes, diverse combat styles (melee and ranged), and dynamic movement options (sliding, dashing, zip-lining), Deadlock promises a deep and engaging experience. Valve has now opened up public discussion of the game, though it remains invite-only and in early access.
Valve's Steam Store Standards Under Scrutiny
Interestingly, Deadlock's Steam page currently deviates from Valve's own store guidelines. While Valve typically requires at least five screenshots, Deadlock's page currently only features a single teaser video. This inconsistency has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Valve, as a platform owner and developer, should uphold its own standards. This situation echoes similar controversies surrounding past Valve promotions. The developer 3DGlyptics, for instance, has voiced concerns about the fairness of this exception.
However, Valve's unique position complicates the matter. Whether they will address these concerns remains to be seen as Deadlock continues its development and testing phases. Despite the controversy, the game's potential is undeniable, and its innovative gameplay mechanics are generating considerable excitement.
