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Deadlock leaked as Valve's hero shooter inspired by Dota 2

Olivia Richman
Olivia Richman Published 16/05/2024

A trusted video game leaker has shared Valve’s next game, and it sounds very familiar.

Joining Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals as the latest hero shooters, Valve is allegedly bringing us Deadlock, a third-person hero shooter that has players battling in teams of six versus six. It won’t be your average hero shooter, however, if leaks are to be believed.

Related | Players hopeful after Valve adds Overwatch to expose CS2 cheaters

What is Deadlock by Valve?

Deadlock is allegedly the next Valve game. Previously known as Neon Prime, Citadel, the hero shooter, has the usual six versus six weapon action of the genre, with both teams fighting or dominating a map.

But this game will be a bit different from the usual suspects.

Deadlock will allegedly have a huge map with four lanes instead of the usual set paths in the genre. To get around these massive maps, Valve has implemented floating rails for fast travel, similar to Bioshock Infinite.

While there are abilities and items, these aren’t only used to fight one another but also to fight off “magicians, weird creatures, and robots.” There will also be tower defense mechanics in this apparently fantasy-steampunk shooter.

https://twitter.com/gabefollower/status/1791110448114188557

Said leaker Gabe Follower: “Basically, fast-paced interesting ADHD gameplay. Combination of Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, Valorant, Smite, Orcs Must Die. Hero design pretty much inspired by Dota universe. Main map references modern steampunk European city (little bit like Half-Life). Initially game had sci-fi elements inspired by Half-Life and Portal, but after bad feedback dev team decided to focus on fantasy.”

The results are mixed. Some gamers are excited by a more mystical fantasy shooter, while others are underwhelmed by a shooter set in the Dota 2 universe. Others wonder if Valve will abandon the game if it loses players, ultimately killing it.

A lot of gamers have stated that this is not what they have wanted from Valve, a game most known for its MOBA.

Right now, there is not a lot of information about Deadlock, including a possible release window or anything else official. For now, gamers will have to wait and see what comes of Deadlock.

Olivia Richman Olivia Richman
About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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