Valve's MOBA hero shooter, Deadlock, remains in an exclusive invite-only testing phase, with the company diligently working on refining the game. However, a recent livestream mishap has seemingly unveiled the existence of a second, even more secretive playtest, featuring new characters and redesigns.
The leak originated from a livestream by a prominent Deadlock player, who inadvertently opened the wrong build of the game on stream, as reported by Eurogamer. The footage captured by viewers showcased a roster with fresh characters such as the retro-styled Doorman, the bespectacled Bookworm, and the gothic Vampirebat, alongside visual updates for existing characters like Ivy. The streamer quickly corrected the error, but the information had already spread.
As of now, no further details have emerged, though the leak is still recent. Deadlock is no stranger to leaks, having been the subject of numerous rumors about its existence and content. While it's not uncommon for games to have test builds for a broader audience to test upcoming updates, it's unusual for Deadlock, which is still in its early, invite-only stage.Reactions on the r/DeadlockTheGame subreddit are mixed, with some players expressing frustration at feeling left out of the playtest loop. Deadlock has undergone various changes, including the removal of an entire lane, even in its more public build. Valve has previously utilized the Hero Labs mode to allow players to test new heroes, but this new, more exclusive build suggests an additional method for testing with a select group.
Despite its limited access, Deadlock has attracted a significant number of players and garnered attention from fans of both shooter games and MOBAs. The game's unique rollout and continued invite-only status have only heightened its intrigue. Now, with the revelation of this second, even more exclusive build, speculation among players is likely to intensify.
It's crucial to keep the leaks in perspective, as one Reddit user humorously noted: "Oh great as if one Lash wasn't bad enough, now there are two of him!"
