Valve is taking an intriguing approach with its upcoming, yet-to-be-announced MOBA shooter, Deadlock. Despite the company’s silence about the game, thousands of Steam users have received exclusive invites to join a closed playtest over the past few months, fueling excitement and speculation across the gaming community.
Deadlock Playtest: A Growing Phenomenon
Although Valve has instructed playtesters to keep quiet, the internet is buzzing with leaked gameplay videos and discussion threads. These leaks indicate that Deadlock is already captivating a dedicated player base. Valve continues to send out more invites daily, expanding the game’s reach and building anticipation for its official release.
How to Secure a Deadlock Playtest Invite
Are you curious about how to join the Deadlock playtest? Currently, there are two known methods to gain access:
- Receive a Random Invite from Valve
Valve is selecting players at random to participate in the playtest. This approach means that any active Steam user could potentially receive an invite, regardless of their gaming history. - Get Invited by a Friend
If you have a friend already playing Deadlock, they can recommend you for an invite by submitting your Steam profile and email address. While a recommendation increases your chances, it doesn’t guarantee instant access—most players receive an invite within a few days.
Patience Pays Off
If you don’t have a friend in the know, don’t worry—Valve might still surprise you with a golden ticket to Deadlock. The company has steadily increased the number of invites, with the player count surging in the past week alone. These invites appear to be genuinely random. Initially, Valve may have focused on feedback from seasoned Dota 2 players, but recently, even those with little to no experience in Valve’s multiplayer games have been invited.
You don’t need to grind Dota in hopes of boosting your chances, as some tried with CS during the Counter-Strike 2 playtest last year. Your odds improve each day simply by staying patient. In early August, Deadlock hit a peak of 18,000 concurrent players. Just a week later, that number doubled to over 34,000, signaling the rapid expansion of the playtest.
Keeping an Eye Out
If you’re eager to jump into the action, keep a close watch on your Steam notifications and the email linked to your account. You might be next in line for Deadlock’s exclusive playtest, and missing the notification could mean delaying your entry into one of the most exciting gaming experiences of the year.
Deadlock’s Impact and Anticipation
Deadlock’s stealthy launch strategy is generating significant buzz, making it one of the most anticipated titles in Valve’s lineup. The closed playtest has not only piqued the interest of hardcore gamers but also caught the attention of casual players. Valve’s approach of gradually expanding the player base through random invites and friend recommendations has created a sense of exclusivity and excitement around the game.
As more players join the playtest, the community’s understanding of Deadlock’s mechanics, gameplay style, and unique features will deepen, leading to even more speculation and anticipation. Gamers are eager to see how Valve will position Deadlock in the crowded MOBA and shooter markets, and whether it will live up to the high expectations set by the company’s previous successes.