Deadlock is Valve’s new MOBA-hero-shooter hybrid, and it has been widely playable (without an NDA) since August 2024, even though it’s still listed as “To be announced” on its Steam store page. It currently works on an invite-only basis, but it’s easy to join as long as you have a Steam friend with access to the game; if not, online Deadlock communities are more than happy to share an invite.

Despite two years of easy access, Valve still hasn’t officially released it – and a new blog post reveals there’s “still a good amount of work” to be done before it can be moved “onto more polish phases” of the game’s development. The update message from Valve comes as it launches its massive City Never Sleeps patch, introducing six new heroes, a massive visual update, and much more.

Plenty of new content to explore in the City Never Sleeps update

Deadlock has received numerous major updates, and the six-hero drop this time around includes the following: Nurse Harrow, Rat King, Solomon, Deadman Danny, Baba, and Violet. Valve also launched six heroes with the Old Gods, New Blood update earlier this year, so it’s safe to say the development of the game is moving pretty swiftly. Before that, there was the Six New Heroes update in August 2025, so it’s obvious to say Valve has made this a regular thing. Like the previous major patches, the new heroes will be released periodically (every Tuesday and Friday in the new patch’s case) based on in-game user votes.

“We are thankful for the constant support and useful feedback, despite the game being unfinished […] After the Old Gods New Blood update, we felt that there was still a good amount of work we wanted to do on the core game itself before we moved onto more polish phases of the game development (like updating older hero artwork).”

Valve, via Steam

In addition to a visual overhaul to the map, six new heroes, and a long list of gameplay and balance changes in the City Never Sleeps update, Valve has also hinted at upcoming customization/cosmetics. In the update blog post, the company reveals there have been other things it has “been working on in the last few months alongside this update,” including “things like progression and hero/hideout customizations”. It also mentions “speculative” changes such as “large item redesigns/additions and alternate game modes”.

Gabe Follower shared concept art found in files for a work-in-progress (WIP) model for Rem (internal code name Familiar). He’s the little rat-looking thing crossing the street wearing a yellow raincoat, in case you’re wondering. The Valve-focused leaker suggests it could be an upcoming cosmetic for the hero, which seems to line up with Valve’s plans for hero customization.

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Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.