Valve’s next game has reportedly leaked, and it’s not Half Life 3. The publisher is likely working on an Overwatch-style heroic shooter called Deadlock, leaked images and title details suggest. The game is said to be a competitive 6v6 hero-based third-person shooter and is currently in testing. Deadlock was formerly known as Neon Prime and has reportedly been in development since 2018.
The details come from prominent Valve leaker Gabe Follower and Valve reporter Tyler McVicker, who both claimed that Deadlock will be Valve’s next game. In a UX post last week, Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) claimed that the game would pit two teams of six against each other on massive four-lane maps. Just like Blizzard’s Overwatch and Valve’s own Team Fortress 2, characters will likely come with their own unique hero abilities and gear.
According to the leak, Deadlock will feature an environment that blends fantasy with steampunk. The game will also include tower defense mechanics and will likely allow players to travel around the map using floating rails, similar to Bioshock Infinite.
A standstill. The next Valve game. Formerly known as Neon Prime, Citadel. A competitive hero-based third-person shooter. 6v6 combat on a huge map with 4 lanes. Usable abilities and items. Tower defense mechanics. Fantasy environment mixed with steampunk. Magicians, strange creatures and…
— Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) May 16, 2024
“Basically, a fast paced interesting game with ADHD. A combination of Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, Valorant, Smite, Orcs Must Die,” said Gabe Follower in his post on X. According to the leaker, Deadlock’s hero design will likely be inspired by the DOTA universe.
User X also shared some screenshots said to be from Deadlock. The images show one of the heroes — Gray Talon — from the game, who appears to be an expert in archery.
Valve has yet to confirm any details about its next game, and there is no confirmed timeline for Deadlock’s launch. The game is currently undergoing testing, and several game content creators have reportedly been given access to the tests.
The company’s previous launch was Counter-Strike 2 in September 2023, which replaced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. CS2 features a graphical look, redesigned maps, and gameplay improvements.
