Deadlock
News, coverage and analysis tracking Deadlock across the outlets.
Slay the Spire 2's creator reveals the inspiration for its most controversial foe: "I was playing too much Deadlock."Mega Crit Co-Founder Casey Yano revealed inspirations behind Slay the Spire 2's characters, including the controversial Doormaker boss, which was influenced by playing Valve's Deadlock. Yano also explained that the fairy Ancient Nonupeipe's name is an easter egg referencing a placeholder icon, and that the Ceremonial Beast boss was inspired by Princess Mononoke's Forest Spirit and shares similarities with Valheim's Eikthyr.
Slay the Spire 2's lead birthed reviled boss Doormaker after "playing too much Deadlock," while Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke inspired another creatureMega Crit developer Casey Yano revealed that the reviled Slay the Spire 2 boss, Doormaker, was inspired by playing Valve's hero shooter Deadlock. Another creature in the roguelike was originally based on the Forest Spirit from Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke. The newsletter also confirmed that Steam Workshop support for Slay the Spire 2 is now considered mature enough for general use.
New Deadlock update aims to stop snowballing - and it's looking like Holliday seasonValve has released a new update for Deadlock focusing on hero balance changes and addressing match snowballing. The update introduces significant buffs to Holliday, Apollo, and Calico, while Silver, Graves, and Seven receive nerfs. Key changes include adjustments to the Soul Urn mechanic, hero abilities, and comeback bounties, aiming to create a more balanced gameplay experience.
Don't let Deadlock's MOBA tag scare you off—there's a quick play mode for dummies which is the…Despite its MOBA classification, Valve's Deadlock offers a casual 'Street Brawl' mode that is ideal for new players. This 4v4 mode simplifies mechanics, reduces match length to 15 minutes, and introduces items gradually, making it a fun and accessible entry point into the game.
Arkheron, an isometric Diablo-like battle royale where you ascend a tower, is getting a more forgiving Spire mode to…Arkheron, an isometric PvPvE battle royale action RPG, is introducing a new 'Spire' mode to offer a more forgiving experience for players learning the game. Developer Bonfire Studios is implementing this mode based on player feedback from recent playtests, aiming to bridge the skill gap between the training and core 'Ascension' modes. The game is slated for a 2026 release.
Valve just reworked Deadlock's Soul Urn yet again, and even the item itself is ready to give upValve has released another update for Deadlock, focusing on significant changes to the Soul Urn item. The latest rework introduces a 'King of the Hill' style capture mechanic, immediate bounty rewards upon dropping the Urn, and a 'deadlock' condition where the Urn disperses its souls if contested for too long. These changes aim to make the Urn a more impactful comeback tool for losing teams.- Morning PatchesThis article provides a roundup of recent patch notes for various games including Crimson Desert, Deadlock, Formula Legends, and HELLDIVERS 2. It also briefly mentions StarCraft.
Deadlock's Urn chaos continues as Valve steps in again following tournament dramaValve has issued another update to the MOBA Deadlock to address ongoing issues with the Soul Urn item, which recently caused controversy in a competitive tournament match. The latest patch modifies the Urn's resistance aura and deposit mechanics to prevent exploitative strategies, following previous adjustments. Player Sobhan 'AVG' Pirasteh cited the game's experimental state as his reason for forfeiting a match due to the controversial tactic.
Valve just completely changed the Deadlock Urn again, days after its rework spawned a weekend of mayhemValve has released an emergency update for Deadlock, significantly altering the mechanics of the Soul Urn after a weekend of chaotic gameplay. The update moves the Urn's drop-off location, enhances the carrier's movement speed, and adjusts the 'favored' Urn mechanics and deposit timers to create a more balanced experience.- Deadlock gets hotfix update after Urn change turned mid-lane into an all-out brawlThe game Deadlock received a hotfix update following player frustration with a recent change to the Urn item. This modification had inadvertently turned the mid-lane into a highly contested area, prompting the developers to issue a quick patch to address the imbalance.
Deadlock new midlane objective turned games into such a mid-only fiasco that it only lasted one weekend, though…Valve is experimenting with the midlane objective in Deadlock, which was temporarily changed to encourage teamfights but resulted in a "mid-only fiasco." The new urn mechanic required melee interaction, had a depositing phase, and was always placed in the midlane, leading to a shift in gameplay focus. Following player feedback, the urn now spawns in side-lanes, though some of its mechanics have been adjusted.- Saturday PatchesSeveral games received official updates. Deadlock received a gameplay update on May 22, 2026, Demonschool launched a significant free update, and Team Fortress 2 also released a new patch.
A new Deadlock update reworks the Urn into a more chaotic, powerful comeback engineA new update for Valve's MOBA Deadlock introduces a significant rework to the Soul Urn item, aiming to make it a more powerful comeback mechanic. The update also includes a new Vitality item called Grit and numerous balance adjustments to heroes and other items, with a focus on encouraging early aggression and slowing down late-game base pushing.
Deadlock's latest 'small update' yet again remixes basic mechanics and rebalances most of the rosterValve has released a small update for its MOBA Deadlock, significantly altering its comeback mechanics. The 'soul urn' now requires players to deposit it in the center of the map, initiating a channeling phase that can be interrupted by enemies. Additionally, the midboss that grants resurrection abilities now spawns at the start of the game, increasing early-game strategic options.
What Is Deadlock Boosting and How Does It WorkThis article explains the concept of 'boosting' in the game Deadlock, where high-ranked players assist others in climbing the competitive ladder. It details various methods like duo queueing, placement assistance, and account sharing, as well as alternatives like coaching. The piece also discusses the benefits, reasons for use, and safety considerations of Deadlock boosting services.
Now that Subnautica 2 is out, the most wishlisted game on Steam is… a game that's been out for almost 2…Following the launch of Subnautica 2, the most wishlisted game on Steam is now Light No Fire. However, the article points out that Deadlock, a MOBA hero shooter that has been in early access for nearly two years, is incorrectly appearing at the top of the wishlisted games list. Valve's platform is criticized for not removing games that are already released from this list.
Warren Spector's Thick As Thieves encapsulates the joys of the heist, but I'm not convinced it'll steal my attention long-termThick As Thieves, developed by OtherSide Entertainment and led by Warren Spector, offers a compelling heist experience with a unique blend of magic and early 1900s technology in Kilcairn. While the stealth mechanics and gadgetry are well-implemented, the article suggests the game may not hold long-term attention due to a somewhat simplistic AI and a story that overstays its welcome, despite its low $5 price point.- Deadlock voice actor cast listThis article lists all of the voice actors who have been cast in the upcoming game Deadlock. The full cast list provides details on the talent behind the game's characters.
Now that Subnautica 2 is out, Valve's own Deadlock tops Steam's most wishlisted chartSubnautica 2 has launched into early access on Steam, achieving significant player interest. Following its release, Valve's unreleased multiplayer shooter Deadlock has reclaimed the top spot on Steam's most wishlisted games chart. Other notable titles on the wishlist include Forza Horizon 6, Light No Fire, and Fable.
Why I love Deadlock's map, which has brought me back to the world of MOBAs long after I swore I'd quitThis article praises the map design of Valve's upcoming MOBA, Deadlock, highlighting its verticality and numerous traversal mechanics that offer more dynamic escape routes and combat engagements compared to traditional MOBAs like Dota 2. The author finds these elements engaging and a key reason for their renewed interest in the genre.