Tech Desk 
Aug 24, 2024
Valve has just officially announced a new game: Deadlock, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) with a mix of elements of popular genres of multiplayer games. After months of leaks from alpha testers, the game's Steam page went live on August 23, revealing a game still in early development.
What is Deadlock?
Deadlock is a traditional MOBA that comprises two teams, with six players in each team, who strive to control the checkpoints and destroy enemy defences.
The gameplay is focused on tactics with large health pools and ways to make oneself tankier, so it's more about teamwork rather than quick reflexes. A typical match lasted for half an hour.
Deadlock has been arguably the worst-kept secret at Valve since the company launched its invite-only alpha in May 2024, where a lot of details like gameplay or heroes were kept unhidden from leakers among the testers.
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However, Valve has now lifted the restrictions on content sharing around the game, which helps testers share footage and screenshots.
A Steam page for Deadlock is up, but a bit bare. It calls the game "early in development," uses placeholder art, and features experimental gameplay.
It does list 64-bit CPU and operating system requirements but does not include any specific PC system requirements. Players have been reporting it's working on Windows and the Steam Deck.
The full release for Deadlock is years away from a full release, but its business model is expected to be free-to-play. Valve has not officially confirmed this, but the game's design and development suggest a free-to-play title.
