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'''''Deadlock''''' is a third-person shooter developed by Valve Corporation. It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024.<ref name=":1" /> The game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement. The initial distribution method involved inviting players through the Steam friends list feature. The game is still in development and is played through an Early Development Build.<ref name=":1">https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/08/26/valves-deadlock-instantly-rockets-to-90000-players-after-official-announcement/</ref>
[[File:Deadlock Logo.webp|thumb|332x332px|''Deadlock'''s logo.]]
'''''Deadlock''''' is a 6v6 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 game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement. The game can only be played be receiving an invite from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through an [[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 ===
== Gameplay ==
In ''Deadlock'', the main goal is to destroy the enemy's [[Patron]] in their base while defending your own. The map has four lanes protected by Walkers/[[Guardians]] that send waves of troopers. Two teams, ''The Sapphire Flame'' and ''The Amber Hand'', each with six players, compete using [[Heroes]] with unique abilities that can be upgraded throughout the game.<ref name=":0">https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24219016/valve-deadlock-hands-on-secret-new-game</ref> Souls are the key resource, acting as both experience points and currency. Collecting [[souls]] empowers the team, unlocks 'boons' from the Patron, and enhances Heroes' stats and abilities.
''Main article: [[Mechanics]]''


As Heroes level up, they gain access to stronger abilities. They also have four item slots for [[Weapon|Weapons]], [[Vitality]], and [[Spirit]], with additional [[Flex]] slots unlocked by completing map objectives. Players use souls to buy items, earned by actions like killing creeps, defeating enemy heroes, and destroying buildings. ''Deadlock'' takes inspiration from Dota 2, emphasizing tactics, teamwork, and strategic play, all within a third-person perspective that blends skill-shots, [[Zip-lines|movement]], and gunplay.<ref name=":0" />
In ''Deadlock'', two [[teams]] of 6 players, ''[[The Sapphire Flame]]'' and ''[[The Amber Hand]],'' battle through 4 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.  


=== Theme and Setting ===
Heroes level up, unlock abilities, and equip items in slots for [[Weapon]], [[Vitality]], and [[Spirit]]. Additional [[Flex]] slots are unlocked by completing objectives.
The game has a fantasy theme and is set in the early 1900's United States where occult rituals and magic anomalies are common place and heavily regulated. The game's current map is implied to be this universe's version of 'New York', where the ritual takes place. The ritual is between two patrons and whichever side is victorious will 'spawn' the patron into their world, allowing them to grant their side a 'boon'. Heroes are based on various tropes and ideas associated with the time while containing many unique contributions.


=== Lore ===
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.
There is currently not much known about the lore of the game outside of in-game hero descriptions and a leaked graphic novel featuring [[Lady Geist]] and [[Infernus]]. Fantastic events are a deeply woven part of the game's lore and are often an explanation for heroes' abilities.
 
== Setting & Theme ==
''Main article: [[Lore]]''
 
In the world of ''Deadlock,'' occult rituals and magic anomalies are commonplace and heavily regulated. The game takes place in an alternate 1940s version of New York called [[The Cursed Apple]]. Two covenants battle to complete the Ritual and summon their Patron, a god capable of granting wishes. Each character has their own wishes and reason for wanting to summon the Patron, but their fates collide on the streets of New York. The game has strong occult themes blended with an old-school American style.
 
== Development ==
''Deadlock'' was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called ''[[Neon Prime]].'' It was also known as ''[[Citadel]],'' ''Project8'' 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''.''
 
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.
{| class="wikitable"
|+Development Timeline
!Date
!Events
|-
|Early 2018
|Creation of ''Citadel''
|-
|April 2019
|First ''Citadel'' leaks in ''Dota 2'' files
|-
|2020-2022
|Development of ''Neon Prime''
|-
|October 2020
|First ''Neon Prime'' leaks in ''Dota 2'' files
|-
|October 2022
|''Neon Prime'' trademark registered
|-
|Late 2022
|''Neon Prime'' canceled, transition to ''Shadowline/Deadlock''
|-
|Early 2023-July 2023
|Development of Caldera_trooper map (art style transition)
|-
|Late 2023
|Development of Cursed Apple map
|-
|February 2024
|''Deadlock'' tutorial videos recorded
|-
|April 2024
|Beginning of playtest, creation of forums and Discord server
|-
|May 2024
|First ''Deadlock'' leaks, trademark registered, email invite system
|-
|June 2024
|Steam friend invite system
|-
|August 2024
|Steam page created, embargo lifted, forums made public
|}
 
== References ==
<references />{{Development History}}
[[Category:Deadlock Wiki]]

Latest revision as of 17:38, 30 January 2025

Deadlock's logo.

Deadlock is a 6v6 third-person shooter MOBA developed by Valve Corporation.[1] It was first publicly announced on August 23, 2024.[2] The game's release was unconventional and marked by a deliberate approach of secrecy before public acknowledgement. The game can only be played be receiving an invite from a Steam friend who already has the game. The game is still in development and is played through an Early Development Build.[2]

Gameplay[edit | edit source]

Main article: Mechanics

In Deadlock, two teams of 6 players, The Sapphire Flame and The Amber Hand, battle through 4 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 items in slots for Weapon, Vitality, and Spirit. Additional Flex slots are unlocked by completing objectives.

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 zipline system for long-distance transportation.

Setting & Theme[edit | edit source]

Main article: Lore

In the world of Deadlock, occult rituals and magic anomalies are commonplace and heavily regulated. The game takes place in an alternate 1940s version of New York called The Cursed Apple. Two covenants battle to complete the Ritual and summon their Patron, a god capable of granting wishes. Each character has their own wishes and reason for wanting to summon the Patron, but their fates collide on the streets of New York. The game has strong occult themes blended with an old-school American style.

Development[edit | edit source]

Deadlock was originally meant to be a sci-fi third-person MOBA called Neon Prime. It was also known as Citadel, Project8 and Shadowline at various points in its early development. Valve trademarked Neon Prime in October 2022,[3] but the game was renamed to Deadlock later that year.

The currently ongoing Deadlock closed playtest began on April 2024,[4] when the official forums and Discord server were created, and the name was trademarked by Valve on May 2024.[5] The game was leaked on various occasions from 2019 to 2024, and Valve listed the game on Steam in August 2024.

Development Timeline
Date Events
Early 2018 Creation of Citadel
April 2019 First Citadel leaks in Dota 2 files
2020-2022 Development of Neon Prime
October 2020 First Neon Prime leaks in Dota 2 files
October 2022 Neon Prime trademark registered
Late 2022 Neon Prime canceled, transition to Shadowline/Deadlock
Early 2023-July 2023 Development of Caldera_trooper map (art style transition)
Late 2023 Development of Cursed Apple map
February 2024 Deadlock tutorial videos recorded
April 2024 Beginning of playtest, creation of forums and Discord server
May 2024 First Deadlock leaks, trademark registered, email invite system
June 2024 Steam friend invite system
August 2024 Steam page created, embargo lifted, forums made public

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Deadlock on Steam
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2024-08-26 - Paul Tassi on Forbes - Valve’s Deadlock Instantly Rockets To 90,000 Players After Official Announcement
  3. ↑ Neon Prime trademark on USPTO.report
  4. ↑ 2024-04-16 - Yoshi; Deadlock Forums - Early Development Build Privacy
  5. ↑ Deadlock trademark on USPTO.report
Development history
Versions
Neon Prime
Unused Content
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