Deadlock Rivals Overwatch on Steam
- Valve’s upcoming shooter Deadlock has reached player numbers close to Overwatch on Steam, despite being invite‑only and still unfinished.
- The game surged in popularity following a major update that expanded its roster and added new modes.
- Its rapid rise suggests strong interest in Valve’s next multiplayer project.
A Rapid Climb for an Unreleased Game
Deadlock has become one of Steam’s most‑played titles even though it remains unavailable to the general public. Circana’s January data shows the game ranked sixth in the United States, placing it near Overwatch in concurrent player counts. The comparison is notable because Blizzard’s shooter has recently seen a resurgence of its own. Valve’s project appears to be gaining momentum without a full launch or marketing push.
The game blends elements of hero shooters and MOBAs, drawing clear inspiration from Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2. Players choose stylized 1930s‑themed fantasy characters and compete across lanes filled with AI opponents. These encounters generate in‑game currency used to purchase upgrades and strengthen each hero. The structure encourages both tactical positioning and fast‑paced combat.
Update Sparks a Major Player Surge
Deadlock first appeared in a limited form during autumn 2024, attracting significant attention before its player base tapered off. Interest returned sharply in January when Valve released the Old Gods, New Blood update. The patch introduced six new characters, a faster game mode, and broad adjustments to the overall experience. These changes dramatically increased engagement and pushed the game to new player peaks.
SteamDB data shows that Deadlock climbed from roughly 30,000 concurrent players at the start of the year to 125,000 within the past day. Overwatch, by comparison, currently peaks at around 134,000 players on Steam. The gap is surprisingly small given that Deadlock is still invite‑only. Its growth highlights how quickly community interest can shift when substantial updates arrive.
Invite‑Only Access Doesn’t Slow Momentum
Access to Deadlock requires an invitation from an existing player, yet this barrier has not prevented widespread participation. Streamers and content creators frequently distribute codes, making entry easier but still not fully open. Valve has not promoted the game heavily, and its Steam page contains minimal information. Even so, players continue to join in large numbers.
Valve’s reputation in multiplayer design likely contributes to the enthusiasm. Team Fortress 2 helped define the hero shooter genre, while Dota 2 remains one of the most played games on Steam with a peak of 830,000 concurrent players. These successes set high expectations for any new project from the company. Deadlock’s early performance suggests that many players are eager to see how it evolves.
Deadlock’s rise mirrors a broader trend in which early‑access or invite‑only titles gain traction through community‑driven discovery rather than traditional marketing. Games like Valorant and Escape from Tarkov saw similar surges when access was limited but interest was high. This model can create strong early communities that shape a game’s identity before launch. Deadlock’s trajectory indicates that Valve may once again be positioned to influence the competitive multiplayer landscape.
