Deadlock, the new 6v6 MOBA shooter with tower defense mechanics and a fantasy setting that Valve has reportedly been working on, is actually real and already being tested by select players as part of a closed beta, according to new footage and screenshots for the game that have leaked online, including a one-minute video that shows off some of the project’s gameplay and its roster of characters, which appears to comprise over 19 heroes. Previously named Neon Prime, the game is said to draw much inspiration from Dota, Valve’s series of strategy video games that currently includes various titles, including 2013’s Dota 2.
Leaker @gabefollower previously said of the project:
- “Deadlock. Next Valve game. Previously known as Neon Prime, Citadel. Competitive third person hero-based shooter. 6 vs 6 battling on huge map with 4 lanes. Usable abilities and items.”
- “Tower defense mechanics. Fantasy setting mixed with steampunk. Magicians, weird creatures and robots. Fast travel using floating rails, similar to Bioshock Infinite.”
- “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.”
What Deadlock will apparently look like:
LEAK:
— PlayerIGN (@PlayerIGN) May 22, 2024
Gameplay of Valve’s upcoming 6v6 4-Lane 3rd-Person Shooter MOBA—
“Deadlock,” formerly “Neon Prime.”
19+ heroes are currently playable in the Closed BETA. pic.twitter.com/GKG8FCUZVU
A couple of screenshots, which remain live on imgur at the time of this posting:
From a report:
…very similar to DOTA in terms of its gameplay loop and mechanics. This includes killing enemies and creeps to get the in-game currency of “souls,” which allows you to buy items to make your hero stronger. According to sources, both creeps and enemies will spawn a soul upon death, which floats up and away when they die.