Deadlock’s latest update all but confirms it’s real, the issue is that not a single soul cares

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen trends come and go in the gaming industry. Marvel Rivals, Overwatch, Concord – these hero shooter games have been a dime a dozen lately. And now, Valve is sneaking up on us with Deadlock, another supposedly hybrid MOBA-hero shooter game.

In simpler terms, among the popular genre of hero shooter games, Marvel Rivals, Overwatch, and Concord are strong competitors. With Valve’s recent surprise announcement about Deadlock, which some consider unwanted, this upcoming game is now even more imminent in the market.

Up until now, Deadlock’s specifics remain unclear. Seemingly, it combines elements of a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) and Hero Shooter game. The developers aim to incorporate numerous strategy and tower-defense features to create an engaging experience. However, history has demonstrated that hero shooters are not particularly popular among gamers. Despite Overwatch’s initial success, its popularity waned rather quickly.

1. Option: Currently, Deadlock can be located on SteamDB and it’s confirmed as its official name, not just Project 8 anymore. Approximately 2,500 people are playing it at present; these could either be alpha testers or Valve might be hosting a massive team gathering within the Citadel.

A few months ago, leaked images believed to be from Deadlock sparked controversy among fans of Team Fortress 2. The main concern raised against Deadlock is the question of its necessity. While Team Fortress 2 remains one of the most cherished games ever made, it’s no secret that the game is long in the tooth. If the investment put into “another hero-shooter” had gone towards Team Fortress 3 instead, I believe we would be more optimistic about Valve’s upcoming project.

As a longtime fan of hero shooter games, I must admit, these times are challenging for us devoted players. I was deeply disappointed when Concord’s beta failed to captivate me and many others, leaving us feeling let down. But Marvel Rivals has been a breath of fresh air in this otherwise dreary landscape. With almost 30,000 players currently engaged in the playtest, it’s a stark contrast to the dismal player count of its PlayStation counterpart.

1. I’m not implying that Deadlock will turn out to be a dismal game. There’s always a chance it could be outstanding, groundbreaking even. What I want to emphasize is that the hero shooter genre hasn’t been doing so well recently in terms of reputation. Although these games might have impressive technical aspects, their live-service structures tend to hinder rather than enhance the experience. If any company has the potential to strike a balance between gameplay and service, it’s likely Valve.

Before its release and after the initial excitement of the launch has subsided, I don’t believe many people will show great enthusiasm for Valve’s Deadlock.

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2024-07-30 18:40