Valve's secretive new MOBA shooter Deadlock is generating buzz, but leaked early test footage shows it's still very much a work in progress.
The gaming world has been abuzz with rumors about Valve's latest project, Deadlock, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) shooter that recently appeared on Steam. While official details remain scarce, leaked early development footage provides a glimpse into the game's humble beginnings.
Recycled Assets and Barebones Gameplay
According to leaked footage shared by Twitter user @gabefollower, Deadlock's early version was a far cry from a polished product:
- Texture-less buildings and basic environments
- Reused assets from other Valve games like Half-Life and Left 4 Dead
- Half-Life Antlions serving as placeholder minions
This barebones mockup demonstrates Valve's iterative design process, using familiar elements to test core gameplay concepts.
Official Teasers and Growing Interest
Despite the rough early footage, Valve has begun officially acknowledging Deadlock:
- A 22-second teaser trailer released
- Official Steam page listing the game as in early development
- Invite-only playtesting with thousands of participants
The game's player count reportedly peaked at over 44,000 during secret testing phases, indicating significant interest from the gaming community.
What We Know So Far
While many details remain under wraps, here's what has been revealed about Deadlock:
- 6v6 third-person shooter with MOBA elements
- Aiming to be Valve's next major competitive title
- Currently PC-only, with no announced release date
The Road Ahead
Valve is taking a cautious approach with Deadlock's development:
- Continued invite-only testing
- Developers, streamers, and press now allowed to discuss the game publicly
- Emphasis that many elements, including graphics, are subject to change
As Deadlock moves from its early prototype phase towards a more polished product, gamers and industry watchers alike will be eager to see how Valve's latest IP evolves. The company's track record with titles like Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2 sets high expectations for this new competitive shooter.