Valve has released its latest game, Deadlock, in a unique manner that reminded how was done with Dota 2 back in the days. The game initially appeared on Steam in April 2024 and slowly gained popularity over the following months, with the number of concurrent players peaking at 45,000 in August. Valve allowed players to invite others to play the game, creating a word-of-mouth distribution method that generated significant interest. Despite being labeled as a secret game, the strategy of allowing players to invite others proved to be successful. The company acknowledged the game’s existence in August and created a Steam page for it. Deadlock’s distribution method was clever and effective, making it a topic of discussion among PC gamers. The game has attracted attention for being an unfinished Valve game, thing apparently forgiven by most of the fans. It appears to be a genre mishmash, borrowing elements from various games such as Dota 2, Overwatch, Valorant, and Team Fortress 2. Despite its issues, Deadlock offers fast-paced gameplay and streamlined matchmaking, which sets it apart from other similar games. The game features 20 heroes with different abilities and styles, and the matches involve battling enemy minions, engaging in coordinated attacks, and destroying the opposing team’s fortifications. Deadlock’s visual and aesthetic aspects have raised concerns, as it lacks a coherent identity and appears to be a mix of various art styles. This is unusual for Valve, known for its ability to create distinct and memorable game worlds. However, despite these concerns, Deadlock marks Valve’s sixth game release in six years, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to game development. Overall, Deadlock’s unconventional release and early access status raise questions about its potential success. It remains to be seen whether the game will become a groundbreaking early access experiment or simply fade into obscurity. Nonetheless, it has generated significant interest within the gaming community, and its unique distribution method has proven to be effective in creating a buzz around the game. As a gaming enthusiast, I am intrigued to see how Deadlock will evolve and whether Valve can overcome its initial challenges to create a compelling and successful game.