Recently, rumors and leaks of information about a new game from Valve Studio called Deadlock have been spreading online. The first data about this project was published on Twitter (also knows as 𝕏) by a user with the nickname GabeFollower. In one of his posts, he wrote some information about the game and several images, including one of Deadlock's characters named Grey Talon. However, thanks to the insider Tom Henderson, we got even more interesting details about this game.
Tom Henderson confirmed that the information previously published on the web is true and Valve is indeed working on the development of Deadlock, which is at an early stage of closed alpha testing. Some employees of the company describe it as a project that is still at an early stage of development, where they are experimenting with different game mechanics and character designs.
According to the published information, the game currently has 19 characters of different archetypes, classifications, and types: mages, healers, archers, creatures, humans, robots, etc. Each of them has unique abilities and playstyles. Here is a list of characters whose names and some features we know:
1. Abrams — a character that looks like a demonic gargoyle
2. Bebop — a red robot with a missing eye
3. Dynamo — another robot
4. Grey Talon — an archer with the appearance of a Native American, whose image was published earlier by GabeFollower
5. Haze
6. Infernus
7. Ivy — encore
8. Kelvin
9. Lady Geist
10. Lash is a warrior
11. McGinnis — a welder or blacksmith
12. Mo & Krill — a duet of a monkey and a pig
13. Paradox
14. Pocket
15. Seven
16. Vindicta — a character with a vampire style
17. Warden — a police officer
18. Wraith — bounty hunter / treasure hunter
19. Yamato — a hero with a samurai style
Speaking for the gameplay, players who were lucky enough to try and see Deadlock with their own eyes describe it as a mixture of several games, including Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, Smite, and many other teamwork-oriented games. Two teams compete in the game in a 6v6 format with a third-person view. Nothing is said about the main goal of the game, but it is known that each side has its own base. Therefore, we can assume that the main goal is to destroy the main enemy building, or the task will depend on the mode chosen before the game starts.
According to Tom Henderson, Deadlock feels very much like Dota 2 in terms of gameplay and mechanics. Heroes also have to kill enemies and mobs to get their "souls", which act as the main currency here, allowing them to buy new artifacts, making the hero stronger. After the death of the hero and creeps, "souls" fly out of them. To get as much of this currency as possible, you need to shoot or attack them. If you do not, they will passively give you a little less resource. Over time, these souls rise into the sky and simply dissolve.
Players can place a special "urn of souls" in the central area of the game map so that their allies can get more souls for killing opponents. However, the hero who carries it will be visible on the minimap for the enemy team.
As for the creeps that should be farmed to replenish the in-game currency, they appear in random places on the map. The game also has a main boss, most likely an analog of the local Roshan, which is located in the center of the playing field. However, its features are still unknown.
Perhaps one of the biggest questions among players who liked this concept of Deadlock is when it will be possible to play it. Unfortunately, the release date of the game remains unknown at this time, as there have been no official announcements of Deadlock yet. Taking into account various points regarding the game development and comments of Tom Henderson, the game should be expected at least in 2025. However, there is a chance that open beta testing will come much earlier, and we will get the exact release date soon.
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