What it is about
Two teams of six heroes fight on a map with lanes where troopers march. Players collect souls (the in-game currency), buy items and try to destroy the Patron in the enemy base. Unlike a classic MOBA, you aim and shoot yourself, jump, slide and ride rails above the map.
The world
The game is set in a supernatural version of New York called the Cursed Apple. Heroes such as Haze, Abrams, Seven, Lady Geist and Infernus feel like characters from a noir detective story mixed with the occult.
Constant change
Valve changes the game from the ground up. In early 2025 it cut the number of lanes from four to three. In January 2026 the big Old Gods, New Blood update added six heroes chosen by player vote and a quick 4v4 Street Brawl mode. Smaller balance changes arrive almost every week.
How to get in
Deadlock is not on sale. A friend who already has access can invite you through Steam. Valve warns that the game contains placeholder art and experimental mechanics. According to the developers, the next big update was expected at the end of September 2026.