Valve's New MOBA Shooter, Deadlock, Officially Launches on Steam
After a period of secrecy, Valve's highly anticipated MOBA shooter, Deadlock, has finally arrived on Steam. This article explores the game's recent beta success, gameplay details, and the controversy surrounding Valve's approach to its own store guidelines.
Valve Breaks the Silence on Deadlock
The weekend saw the official unveiling of Deadlock, confirming previous leaks and speculation. The Steam page launch coincides with a significant milestone: the closed beta reached a peak of 89,203 concurrent players, more than doubling its previous high. Valve has now lifted restrictions on public discussion, allowing streaming and community engagement. However, it remains an invite-only beta, still in early development with placeholder assets and experimental mechanics.
Deadlock: A Unique Blend of MOBA and Shooter
Deadlock blends MOBA and shooter elements, featuring 6v6 combat akin to Overwatch. Teams battle for control, managing NPC units across multiple lanes. Fast-paced action requires players to balance direct combat with commanding their troops. Frequent respawns, wave-based battles, and strategic ability usage are core gameplay features. Movement options like sliding and zip-lining add tactical depth. The game boasts a roster of 20 unique heroes, encouraging diverse playstyles and teamwork.
Valve's Store Page Controversy
Interestingly, Deadlock's Steam page deviates from Valve's own store guidelines, featuring only a single teaser video instead of the required five screenshots. This has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Valve should uphold the same standards for its own games as it does for others. This echoes similar past controversies, highlighting inconsistencies in Valve's application of its platform policies. The unique position of Valve as both developer and platform owner complicates the issue, leaving the future handling of these concerns uncertain. The game's development and testing continue, and the resolution, if any, of this discrepancy remains to be seen.
