Breakdown
- Valve is reportedly working on a new multiplayer game, Deadlock
- Testers for the title have leaked screenshots of gameplay
- Valve has yet to officially announce the game in any capacity
Valve, the developer of Half-Life, is releasing a new game for the first time in ages. The company behind the PC gaming marketplace Steam is reportedly preparing to release Deadlock, a 6v6 multiplayer game exclusively for PC.
While Valve has recently started releasing new games like Half-Life: Alyx and Counter-Strike 2, fans stopped expecting frequent new releases years ago. However, new leaks reveal Valve’s secret new game Deadlock in all its glory.
Initially leaked by Twitter user Gabe Follower, Deadlock is reportedly a 6v6 multiplayer game with a third-person perspective. A hero shooter similar to Overwatch and Marvel Rivals, Deadlock reportedly has players fighting across huge steampunk maps with spellcasters, robots, and fantasy creatures populating the world.
”Basically, fast-paced interesting ADHD gameplay. Combination of Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, Valorant, Smite, Orcs Must Die,” they said. “Hero design pretty much inspired by the Dota universe.”
Alongside the leaked description, multiple screenshots from testers have surfaced online. One screenshot shows a third-person view of a character inside a fantasy city, featuring a stunning UI design and sublime Source 2 engine lighting.
Another screenshot shows a character named Grey Talon aiming their bow at rails in the sky. These rails function similarly to the Skyhooks in BioShock Infinite, allowing players to quickly traverse the large maps.
Valve has yet to officially reveal Deadlock, and the game could still be canceled, given Valve’s history. However, from what we can see, Deadlock looks promising, and it’s refreshing to see Valve experimenting with new projects instead of remaining in the shadows.
At the time of writing, Deadlock appears to be a PC exclusive, although the game will hopefully be playable on Valve’s Steam Deck handheld. While there is a possibility that the 6v6 multiplayer game could launch on consoles, Valve has not officially announced the platforms targeted for this release.
Valve’s last original IP was Artifact, released in 2018. Created by Magic: The Gathering founder Richard Garfield, the free-to-play TCG didn’t perform as well as Valve hoped. Hopefully, Deadlock will have a happier ending.