Valve's Deadlock Reaches 100,000 Players—Invite Only

Valve's new hero shooter, Deadlock, has achieved significant success on Steam, surpassing 100,000 concurrent players despite being in an invite-only beta phase. As of August 29, 2024, the player count peaked at 106,447. The surge in popularity comes after Valve fostered a secretive approach to the game's release, only acknowledging its existence recently by taking down a previous request for players not to discuss it. Deadlock is described as a six versus six third-person shooter with MOBA elements, drawing inspiration from well-known titles like League of Legends and Dota 2. The game's full release date remains unannounced, but its growing player base raises questions regarding the future of its invite-only status.

Deadlock is a multiplayer hero shooter blending third-person gameplay with MOBA mechanics, featuring team-based six versus six matches and resembling popular games like League of Legends and Dota 2.

Deadlock represents Valve's return to the shooter genre after a long hiatus. Known for its groundbreaking titles like Counter-Strike and Team Fortress, Valve aims to capture the dynamic energy of contemporary multiplayer experiences while innovating within familiar frameworks. The game's success during its beta phase could signal a robust competitive future for the title. As it evolves, many eyes will be on Valve to see how it navigates a transitioning player experience from a closed beta to a more accessible public release.