Valve's MOBA hero shooter, Deadlock, remains in an exclusive invite-only testing phase, with the company diligently refining the game. However, a recent livestream incident has seemingly unveiled the existence of a second, even more secretive playtest featuring new characters and redesigns.
A top Deadlock player inadvertently opened the wrong build during a livestream, as reported by Eurogamer, leading to leaks about the game's content. The stream showcased a roster with fresh characters such as the nostalgic Doorman, the scholarly Bookworm, and the gothic Vampirebat, alongside visual updates for existing characters like Ivy. Although the streamer quickly corrected the mistake, the information had already spread among viewers.
No additional details have emerged from this recent leak, which remains relatively fresh. Deadlock has a history of leaks, with its own existence and content being previously exposed. While testing builds for broader player feedback are not uncommon, it's unusual for Deadlock, given its current early and exclusive testing stage.
Reactions on the r/DeadlockTheGame subreddit are mixed, with some players feeling frustrated at being left out of the loop despite participating in the current playtest. Deadlock has undergone numerous changes, including the removal of an entire lane, and Valve has utilized the Hero Labs mode for further hero testing. This new, more exclusive build suggests an additional layer of testing with a select group.
Despite its limited access, Deadlock has attracted a significant player base and caught the attention of fans from both the shooter and MOBA communities. As a new title from Valve, it already carries weight, but its unique rollout and continued exclusivity only heighten its allure. The revelation of this second, even more secretive build adds to the speculation surrounding the game.
However, as one Reddit user humorously noted, keeping perspective is key: "Oh great as if one Lash wasn't bad enough, now there are two of him!"