Deadlock (video game)

Lore & Background

Deadlock is set in an alternate New York City, nicknamed the 'Cursed Apple'. An event known as the 'Maelstrom' revealed the supernatural to the world, bringing undead and magical creatures to Earth, forcing humans to adapt and research the new phenomenon. The game takes place years after the first Maelstrom, with two rival gods, known as 'Patrons', promising a wish to a team of six heroes in exchange for summoning them in a ritual that involves destroying the enemy Patron.

Gameplay involves two teams of six players controlling characters who split across three lanes (formerly four lanes) in a large city.

Reader's Guide

Deadlock represents Valve's return to the multiplayer shooter-MOBA hybrid space, blending elements from Overwatch, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. Its significance lies in its secretive development and gradual public rollout, generating substantial hype through leaks and an invite-only beta. The game's peak concurrent player count of over 170,000 in September 2024, even before full release, indicates strong interest. The development team's willingness to experiment—such as reducing lanes from four to three, overhauling the visual style, and adding characters through in-game votes—sets it apart from many live-service games. The game's unique setting, an alternate 1940s New York with occult themes, and its charismatic hero roster, including the popular character Ivy, have fostered a thriving fan community. As of May 2026, Deadlock is the most wishlisted game on Steam, underscoring its anticipated impact on the gaming landscape.

Did You Know?

• Deadlock was initially known as Neon Prime before being leaked in May 2024.
• The game's development allegedly started in 2018 under the internal code name Citadel.
• A female gargoyle character named Ivy, who protects Spanish Harlem, became unexpectedly popular and received a model redesign in 2025 based on fan art.
• The Street Brawl game mode features two teams of four players limited to one lane with item purchases disabled.

Gameplay & Combat Mechanics

Deadlock blends the lane-based structure of a traditional MOBA with the free-flowing movement of a third-person shooter. Two teams of six heroes split across three lanes in a sprawling urban map, working to push non-player "troopers" toward the enemy "patron"—a possessed effigy that serves as the ultimate objective. Before the patron can be destroyed, players must clear out guardians, walkers, base guardians, and shrines that defend it along each lane. The combat loop is further enriched by a shop system where players spend "souls" to purchase items boosting damage, defense, or healing. Movement is a standout feature: sliding, double jumping, zip lines, fans, alleyways, hidden paths, vents, and crawlspaces all give players multiple routes to traverse the map. The Street Brawl mode strips the experience down to two teams of four on a single lane with no shop, instead offering round-based item drafts from random selections. Critics have described the overall feel as a fusion of Overwatch, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2.

The Cursed Apple & Its Mythology

Deadlock's world is an alternate 1940s New York City, affectionately called the "Cursed Apple." The setting was fundamentally altered by an event called the Maelstrom, which tore open the supernatural and unleashed undead and magical creatures onto the human world. Humanity was forced to adapt, studying and researching this new phenomenon over the years that followed. The game's narrative takes place years after that initial Maelstrom, in a world where the supernatural is no longer hidden. At the heart of the story are two rival deities known as Patrons, each of whom has struck a bargain with a team of six heroes. The promise is a single wish, but the price is participation in an occult ritual: the heroes must summon their Patron by destroying the opposing one. This framework transforms every match into a mythic confrontation, with the urban fantasy backdrop providing a stage where occult warfare and street-level combat collide.

From Neon Prime to Public Reveal

Deadlock's path to the public was anything but straightforward. Internal references under the code name "Citadel" appeared in Dota 2's code as early as 2019, initially sparking speculation about a Half-Life connection. In October 2022, Valve registered a trademark for "Neon Prime," and journalists began theorizing about a new title. The project's art direction shifted from a futuristic, Japan-inspired cyberpunk aesthetic to a fantasy and steampunk look. In May 2024, playtesters leaked the game's existence and early gameplay details to the public. Valve quickly trademarked "Deadlock" and, by August, published its Steam page with a teaser image and short trailer. Notably, the NDA dialog box that had previously restricted sharing was removed, signaling a new openness. The game remained invite-only, and its Steam description candidly acknowledged it was in early development with temporary art and experimental gameplay.

A Growing Community & Evolving Game

Despite never leaving its invite-only closed beta, Deadlock has amassed extraordinary momentum. Before its Steam page even went live, it already held around 20,000 concurrent players; by September 2024, that figure had surged past 170,000. The roster of playable characters grew from an initial twenty to thirty-eight, with later additions selected through in-game community votes. Valve has continued iterating on the design: in February 2025 the lane count was reduced from four to three, the shop and item systems were reworked in May, and a visual style overhaul accompanied six new characters in August. The January 2026 "Old Gods, New Blood" update added further characters, two new items, and the Street Brawl mode, all while the game maintained roughly 100,000 concurrent players. Anti-cheat systems have been a priority since announcement, and a second, more exclusive private playtest was reported in May 2025. As of May 2026, Deadlock stands as the most wishlisted game on Steam.