Deadlock: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Deadlock.jpg|~~thumb~~|~~363x363px~~|~~''Deadlock'''s cover art~~]]

{{Infobox Game

'''''Deadlock''''' is a third-person shooter MOBA developed by [[~~wikipedia:Valve_Corporation|~~Valve Corporation]].~~<ref>[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1422450/Deadlock/ Deadlock] on Steam</ref>~~ It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024.<ref name=":1" /> The official website is https://www.playdeadlock.com/~~. The game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement~~. The game can only be played by receiving an [[Deadlock#Invites|invite]] from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through a Closed Beta<ref>Listed as ''"Deadlock - Closed Beta Access"'' under Steam user licenses</ref> [[Early Development Build]].<ref name=":1">2024-08-26 - Paul Tassi on Forbes - [https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/08/26/valves-deadlock-instantly-rockets-to-90000-players-after-official-announcement/ Valve’s Deadlock Instantly Rockets To 90,000 Players After Official Announcement]</ref>

|name=Deadlock

|developer=[[Valve Corporation]]

|engine=[[Source 2]]

|released=<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">TBA

<div class="mw-collapsible-content">'''[[Early Development Build]]'''<br> April 24, 2024</div>

|genre=[[wikipedia:Third-person shooter|Third-person shooter]], <br> [[wikipedia:Multiplayer online battle arena|MOBA]]

|image=[[File:Deadlock.jpg|259px]]

|distributors=[[wikipedia:Steam (service)|Steam]]

|writers=[[Steve Jaros]]

|platforms=[[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]

|website=[https://www.playdeadlock.com playdeadlock.com]

|designers=[[IceFrog]], <br> [[Duncan Naoki Drummond|Hopoo]]

|version={{#invoke:UpdateExcerpt|getDateLink}}

}}

'''''Deadlock''''' is a [[wikipedia:Third-person_shooter|third-person shooter]] [[wikipedia:Multiplayer_online_battle_arena|MOBA]] developed and published by [[Valve Corporation]]. It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024, though it initially gained public attention after being leaked by playtesters earlier that year.<ref name=":1" /> The official website is https://www.playdeadlock.com/. The game can only be played by receiving an [[Deadlock#Invites|invite]] from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through a Closed Beta<ref>Listed as ''"Deadlock - Closed Beta Access"'' under Steam user licenses</ref> [[Early Development Build]].<ref name=":1">2024-08-26 - Paul Tassi on Forbes - [https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/08/26/valves-deadlock-instantly-rockets-to-90000-players-after-official-announcement/ Valve’s Deadlock Instantly Rockets To 90,000 Players After Official Announcement]</ref>

== Gameplay ==

''Main article: [[Mechanics]]''

In ''Deadlock'', two [[teams]] of 6 players, [[The Hidden King]] and [[The Archmother]], battle through 3 lanes of [[New York]]. Each team fights on behalf of a god, called a [[Patron]]. The objective is to destroy the enemy's Patron while defending your own to complete the ritual. Players control [[Heroes]] with upgradable abilities, and items are bought using [[souls]]. Souls are earned by defeating enemies and completing tasks. They can also unlock 'boons' from Patrons, which boost Hero stats.

In ''Deadlock's'' standard mode, two [[teams]] of 6 players, [[The Hidden King]] and [[The Archmother]], battle through 3 lanes of [[New York]]. Each team fights on behalf of a god, called a [[Patron]]. The objective is to destroy the enemy's Patron while defending your own to complete the ritual. Players control [[Heroes]] with upgradable abilities, and items are bought using [[souls]]. Souls are earned by defeating enemies and completing tasks. They can also unlock 'boons' from Patrons, which boost Hero stats.

Heroes level up, unlock abilities, and equip [[Weapon]], [[Vitality]], and [[Spirit]] items in slots. Additional [[Flex]] slots are unlocked by completing objectives.

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The game blends elements of shooters and MOBAs. It focuses on tactics, teamwork, and strategy, with third-person skill shots, movement, and gunplay. It also has a unique [[Ziplines|zipline]] system for long-distance transportation.

In addition to the standard gamemode, Deadlock also offers a 4v4 roguelike gamemode called [[Street Brawl]], where players fight in one lane over short rounds.

In addition to the standard gamemode, Deadlock also offers a ranked mode for more competitive play, and a 4v4 roguelike gamemode called [[Street Brawl]], where players fight in one lane over short rounds.

== Setting & Theme ==

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== Development ==

''Deadlock'' was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called ''[[Neon Prime]].'' It was also known as ''[[Citadel]]'' and ''[[Shadowline]]'' at various points in its early development. Valve trademarked ''Neon Prime'' in October 2022,<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/97625453 ''Neon Prime'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> but the game ~~was renamed to~~ ''Deadlock'' later that year''.''

''Deadlock'' was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called ''[[Neon Prime]].'' It was also known as ''[[Citadel]]'' and ''[[Shadowline]]'' at various points in its early development. Valve trademarked ''Neon Prime'' in October 2022,<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/97625453 ''Neon Prime'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> but the game started being reworked into ''Deadlock'' later that year''.''

The currently ongoing ''Deadlock'' closed playtest began on April 2024,<ref>2024-04-16 - [[Yoshi]]; Deadlock Forums - [https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/early-development-build-privacy.2/ Early Development Build Privacy]</ref> when the official forums and Discord server were created, and the name was trademarked by Valve on May 2024.<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/98576353 ''Deadlock'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> The game was leaked on various occasions from 2019 to 2024, and Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024.

The currently ongoing ''Deadlock'' closed playtest began on April 2024,<ref>2024-04-16 - [[Yoshi]]; Deadlock Forums - [https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/early-development-build-privacy.2/ Early Development Build Privacy]</ref> when the official forums and Discord server were created, and the name was trademarked by Valve on May 2024.<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/98576353 ''Deadlock'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> The game was leaked on various occasions from 2019 to 2024, and Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024, after its playtest had already reached tens of thousands of concurrent players.<ref name=":1" />

While ''Deadlock'' hasn't been officially mentioned or promoted by Valve beyond its Steam page, various Valve employees, contractors and voice actors have acknowledged their work on the game on social media, and it was mentioned in the ''Half-Life 2'' anniversary documentary on November 2024.<ref>{{YouTubeCite|video=YCjNT9qGjh4&t=7135s|title=Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary (1:58:55)}}</ref>

In May 2025, a second private ''Deadlock'' build was accidentally shared in a livestream, revealing then-upcoming new heroes and redesigns for existing heroes.<ref>2025-05-02 - [https://www.ign.com/person/SeaMoosi Eric Van Allen] of IGN - [https://www.ign.com/articles/valves-moba-shooter-deadlock-apparently-has-another-even-more-exclusive-build Valve's MOBA Shooter Deadlock Apparently Has Another, Even More Exclusive Build]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

|+Development Timeline

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|January 2026

|[[Old Gods, New Blood]] update, ''playdeadlock.com'' updated

|-

|July 2026

|[[Matchmaking update]]

|}

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An invite can take minutes to hours to be processed, and has to be accepted by the player. If the invite notification doesn't appear after a few hours, check your [https://store.steampowered.com/account/playtestinvites Steam playtest invites]. If a player has refused an invite in the past, they may be unable to receive a new one.

'''<big>Getting access to the game will NEVER require clicking a link or making a payment.</big>'''

=== Official forums ===

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File:Deadlock Logo.png|Logo

File:Title screen.png|Title screen

File:Deadlock old cover.jpg|Old cover art

File:DeadlockWikiBG.png|Old main menu screen

File:3 lane update.jpg|3 lane update art

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File:Background gothic.png|Concept art

File:City buildings BW.png|Concept art

File:City buildings.jpg|Concept art

File:Deadlock Logo old.webp|Old logo

</gallery>

== Trivia ==

* ''Deadlock'' is Valve's first video game with an entirely original IP (not based on a mod, a sequel or spin-off of an existing IP, or acquired from third-party developers) since the original [[wikipedia:Half-Life_(video_game)|''Half-Life'']].

* ''Deadlock'' is Valve's second game in the MOBA genre after '''''Dota 2''''', [[List_of_references#References_to_Dota|which it often references]].

== References ==

<references />{{Development History}}

[[Category:Deadlock Wiki]]

Deadlock: Difference between revisionsGive feedback

Fathom of the opera (talk | contribs)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{DISPLAYTITLE:''Deadlock''}}
-[[File:Deadlock.jpg|thumb|363x363px|''Deadlock'''s cover art]]
+{{Infobox Game
-'''''Deadlock''''' is a third-person shooter MOBA developed by [[wikipedia:Valve_Corporation|Valve Corporation]].<ref>[https://store.steampowered.com/app/1422450/Deadlock/ Deadlock] on Steam</ref> It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024.<ref name=":1" /> The official website is https://www.playdeadlock.com/. The game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement. The game can only be played by receiving an [[Deadlock#Invites|invite]] from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through a Closed Beta<ref>Listed as ''"Deadlock - Closed Beta Access"'' under Steam user licenses</ref> [[Early Development Build]].<ref name=":1">2024-08-26 - Paul Tassi on Forbes - [https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/08/26/valves-deadlock-instantly-rockets-to-90000-players-after-official-announcement/ Valve’s Deadlock Instantly Rockets To 90,000 Players After Official Announcement]</ref>
+|name=Deadlock
+|developer=[[Valve Corporation]]
+|engine=[[Source 2]]
+|released=<div class="toccolours mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">TBA
+<div class="mw-collapsible-content">'''[[Early Development Build]]'''<br> April 24, 2024</div>
+|genre=[[wikipedia:Third-person shooter|Third-person shooter]], <br> [[wikipedia:Multiplayer online battle arena|MOBA]]
+|image=[[File:Deadlock.jpg|259px]]
+|distributors=[[wikipedia:Steam (service)|Steam]]
+|writers=[[Steve Jaros]]
+|platforms=[[wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]
+|website=[https://www.playdeadlock.com playdeadlock.com]
+|designers=[[IceFrog]], <br> [[Duncan Naoki Drummond|Hopoo]]
+|version={{#invoke:UpdateExcerpt|getDateLink}}
+}}
+'''''Deadlock''''' is a [[wikipedia:Third-person_shooter|third-person shooter]] [[wikipedia:Multiplayer_online_battle_arena|MOBA]] developed and published by [[Valve Corporation]]. It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024, though it initially gained public attention after being leaked by playtesters earlier that year.<ref name=":1" /> The official website is https://www.playdeadlock.com/. The game can only be played by receiving an [[Deadlock#Invites|invite]] from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through a Closed Beta<ref>Listed as ''"Deadlock - Closed Beta Access"'' under Steam user licenses</ref> [[Early Development Build]].<ref name=":1">2024-08-26 - Paul Tassi on Forbes - [https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/08/26/valves-deadlock-instantly-rockets-to-90000-players-after-official-announcement/ Valve’s Deadlock Instantly Rockets To 90,000 Players After Official Announcement]</ref>
 == Gameplay ==
 ''Main article: [[Mechanics]]''
-In ''Deadlock'', two [[teams]] of 6 players, [[The Hidden King]] and [[The Archmother]], battle through 3 lanes of [[New York]]. Each team fights on behalf of a god, called a [[Patron]]. The objective is to destroy the enemy's Patron while defending your own to complete the ritual. Players control [[Heroes]] with upgradable abilities, and items are bought using [[souls]]. Souls are earned by defeating enemies and completing tasks. They can also unlock 'boons' from Patrons, which boost Hero stats.
+In ''Deadlock's'' standard mode, two [[teams]] of 6 players, [[The Hidden King]] and [[The Archmother]], battle through 3 lanes of [[New York]]. Each team fights on behalf of a god, called a [[Patron]]. The objective is to destroy the enemy's Patron while defending your own to complete the ritual. Players control [[Heroes]] with upgradable abilities, and items are bought using [[souls]]. Souls are earned by defeating enemies and completing tasks. They can also unlock 'boons' from Patrons, which boost Hero stats.
 Heroes level up, unlock abilities, and equip [[Weapon]], [[Vitality]], and [[Spirit]] items in slots. Additional [[Flex]] slots are unlocked by completing objectives.
@@ Line 12: / Line 27: @@
 The game blends elements of shooters and MOBAs. It focuses on tactics, teamwork, and strategy, with third-person skill shots, movement, and gunplay. It also has a unique [[Ziplines|zipline]] system for long-distance transportation.
-In addition to the standard gamemode, Deadlock also offers a 4v4 roguelike gamemode called [[Street Brawl]], where players fight in one lane over short rounds.
+In addition to the standard gamemode, Deadlock also offers a ranked mode for more competitive play, and a 4v4 roguelike gamemode called [[Street Brawl]], where players fight in one lane over short rounds.
 == Setting & Theme ==
@@ Line 20: / Line 35: @@
 == Development ==
-''Deadlock'' was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called ''[[Neon Prime]].'' It was also known as ''[[Citadel]]'' and ''[[Shadowline]]'' at various points in its early development. Valve trademarked ''Neon Prime'' in October 2022,<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/97625453 ''Neon Prime'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> but the game was renamed to ''Deadlock'' later that year''.''
+''Deadlock'' was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called ''[[Neon Prime]].'' It was also known as ''[[Citadel]]'' and ''[[Shadowline]]'' at various points in its early development. Valve trademarked ''Neon Prime'' in October 2022,<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/97625453 ''Neon Prime'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> but the game started being reworked into ''Deadlock'' later that year''.''
-The currently ongoing ''Deadlock'' closed playtest began on April 2024,<ref>2024-04-16 - [[Yoshi]]; Deadlock Forums - [https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/early-development-build-privacy.2/ Early Development Build Privacy]</ref> when the official forums and Discord server were created, and the name was trademarked by Valve on May 2024.<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/98576353 ''Deadlock'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> The game was leaked on various occasions from 2019 to 2024, and Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024.
+The currently ongoing ''Deadlock'' closed playtest began on April 2024,<ref>2024-04-16 - [[Yoshi]]; Deadlock Forums - [https://forums.playdeadlock.com/threads/early-development-build-privacy.2/ Early Development Build Privacy]</ref> when the official forums and Discord server were created, and the name was trademarked by Valve on May 2024.<ref>[https://uspto.report/TM/98576353 ''Deadlock'' trademark] on USPTO.report</ref> The game was leaked on various occasions from 2019 to 2024, and Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024, after its playtest had already reached tens of thousands of concurrent players.<ref name=":1" />
 While ''Deadlock'' hasn't been officially mentioned or promoted by Valve beyond its Steam page, various Valve employees, contractors and voice actors have acknowledged their work on the game on social media, and it was mentioned in the ''Half-Life 2'' anniversary documentary on November 2024.<ref>{{YouTubeCite|video=YCjNT9qGjh4&t=7135s|title=Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary (1:58:55)}}</ref>
+In May 2025, a second private ''Deadlock'' build was accidentally shared in a livestream, revealing then-upcoming new heroes and redesigns for existing heroes.<ref>2025-05-02 - [https://www.ign.com/person/SeaMoosi Eric Van Allen] of IGN - [https://www.ign.com/articles/valves-moba-shooter-deadlock-apparently-has-another-even-more-exclusive-build Valve's MOBA Shooter Deadlock Apparently Has Another, Even More Exclusive Build]</ref>
 {| class="wikitable"
 |+Development Timeline
@@ Line 83: / Line 100: @@
 |January 2026
 |[[Old Gods, New Blood]] update, ''playdeadlock.com'' updated
+|-
+|July 2026
+|[[Matchmaking update]]
 |}
@@ Line 96: / Line 116: @@
 An invite can take minutes to hours to be processed, and has to be accepted by the player. If the invite notification doesn't appear after a few hours, check your [https://store.steampowered.com/account/playtestinvites Steam playtest invites]. If a player has refused an invite in the past, they may be unable to receive a new one.
+'''<big>Getting access to the game will NEVER require clicking a link or making a payment.</big>'''
 === Official forums ===
@@ Line 104: / Line 126: @@
 File:Deadlock Logo.png|Logo
 File:Title screen.png|Title screen
+File:Deadlock old cover.jpg|Old cover art
 File:DeadlockWikiBG.png|Old main menu screen
 File:3 lane update.jpg|3 lane update art
@@ Line 110: / Line 133: @@
 File:Background gothic.png|Concept art
 File:City buildings BW.png|Concept art
 File:City buildings.jpg|Concept art
+File:Deadlock Logo old.webp|Old logo
 </gallery>
+== Trivia ==
+* ''Deadlock'' is Valve's first video game with an entirely original IP (not based on a mod, a sequel or spin-off of an existing IP, or acquired from third-party developers) since the original [[wikipedia:Half-Life_(video_game)|''Half-Life'']].
+* ''Deadlock'' is Valve's second game in the MOBA genre after '''''Dota 2''''', [[List_of_references#References_to_Dota|which it often references]].
 == References ==
 <references />{{Development History}}
 [[Category:Deadlock Wiki]]