Valve's MOBA hero shooter, Deadlock, remains in an invite-only testing phase as the company continues to refine and develop the game. However, a recent livestream mishap has seemingly unveiled the existence of a second, even more exclusive playtest, featuring previously unseen characters and redesigns.
During a livestream hosted by a prominent Deadlock player, an accidental reveal occurred when the wrong build of Deadlock was opened on stream. This incident, as reported by Eurogamer, showcased a roster with new characters such as the retro-styled Doorman, the scholarly Bookworm, and the gothic Vampirebat, along with visual updates to existing characters like Ivy. Although the streamer promptly corrected their mistake, the cat was already out of the bag.
As of now, no further details have emerged from this fresh leak. Deadlock is no stranger to such incidents, having been the subject of numerous leaks regarding its existence and content. While the concept of a test build for a larger audience to experiment with upcoming updates isn't novel, it's unusual for a game like Deadlock, which is still in an early, invite-only stage.
Reactions within the Deadlock community, particularly on the r/DeadlockTheGame subreddit, are mixed. Some players express frustration, feeling left out of the loop despite being part of the existing playtest. Deadlock has undergone various changes, both minor and significant, including the removal of an entire lane from the game. Valve has previously utilized the Hero Labs mode to allow players to test new heroes, but this appears to be an additional, more selective method of testing.
Despite its exclusive access, Deadlock has attracted a notable number of players and garnered attention from fans of both shooter and MOBA genres. The game's unique rollout and ongoing invite-only status have only heightened its allure. Now, with the revelation of another, even more exclusive build, speculation among players is likely to intensify.
It's essential to maintain a balanced view of these developments, as one Reddit user humorously noted: "Oh great, as if one Lash wasn't bad enough, now there are two of him!"