As the first official development update for this MOBA, the announcement clearly states that this major update for Deadlock does not mean the game is about to enter open beta. This invite-only game continues to expand its content and improve quality, but Valve says there is still a lot of work to be done.
In the opening of the update announcement, Valve stated: "We believe creating a multiplayer game is extremely difficult and risky. The best way to mitigate this risk is to let players access the game early, helping us refine our direction and provide feedback on what works and what doesn't."
Earlier this year, Deadlock released the "Old Gods, New Blood" update, adding six new heroes and extensive visual overhauls. Although not all game content was adjusted, the scope of the update led many to believe Deadlock was entering its next development phase. In terms of general Early Access standards, the completion level of the maps and many game systems can hardly be described as "unfinished" anymore.
But Valve always develops at its own pace, and this time there is no intention to expand the testing scope. Reviewing that update in the new announcement, Valve stated: "Before entering the deeper polishing phase of game development (such as updating art assets for older heroes), we believe there is still much work to be done on the core gameplay itself."
Valve indicated that the Deadlock development team is no longer limited to focusing on specific modules this year, but has begun working on multiple tasks in parallel. Most of this content has been implemented in the latest "Night City" update, such as the revamped maps and equipment, but some parts are still in development: "This even includes progression systems, hero/outpost customization features, etc. We believe these features need to be adjusted and significantly modified based on player feedback before the official launch."
Valve also mentioned: "We are currently working on some more experimental content—meaning we can't be 100% sure these features will be implemented based on test results, but the current feedback has been very positive. This includes large-scale equipment overhauls and new content, as well as other game modes that push the boundaries of the game." It is reported that the new game modes may include the previously rumored PvE mode developed by former Risk of Rain developers.
Valve stated that visual updates for older heroes were originally planned to start at the "end of the early development phase," but the team "may gradually proceed with this work in the near future, including it in subsequent updates alongside other content."
I'm curious about what prompted the team to start this work early, especially since it sounds like Deadlock's "early development phase" isn't over yet—or has it actually concluded? Valve's update announcement did not clearly specify when the game would reach the completion standards required to enter the polishing phase.
For now, the only relevant signal might be the wave of visual updates for many heroes. But even then, we can't be sure if Valve will launch open beta before the game is perfected. If you want to catch a glimpse of its eerie maps and quirky hero lineup, your best bet is to ask someone with access for an invite code, as it seems Valve won't be letting this game out of the "cage" anytime soon.