After a prolonged period of speculation, Valve has officially unveiled Deadlock, though access remains limited to invite-only participants. The game’s Steam page is now live, allowing eager fans to catch a glimpse of what’s to come. However, this has sparked some controversy, as critics point out that Valve appears to be flouting its own guidelines regarding Steam store pages.
Rules and Exceptions
The crux of the issue stems from a pointed complaint made by a vocal individual who has taken it upon himself to highlight Valve’s apparent disregard for its own policies. His emphatic message on social media, filled with repeated calls for attention, underscores a significant concern: “VALVE SOFTWARE IS ACTIVELY VIOLATING THEIR OWN RULES – STORE PAGE SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF 5 SCREENSHOTS – REVIEW PROCESS HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY BYPASSED – I AM NOT LAUGHING.” While the tone may be humorous, the underlying complaint is indeed valid.
According to Steamworks documentation, developers are required to provide at least five screenshots of their product on store pages. Yet, the Deadlock page features only a brief 22-second teaser, which stands in stark contrast to Valve’s stipulated requirements.
One might argue that Valve, as the owner of Steam, is free to operate outside its own rules. However, 3DGlyptics, a game developer, has presented a compelling counterargument. They assert that Valve, having established itself as a Steamworks Partner, is bound by the same rules that govern other developers. This contention draws on a precedent set during a March 2024 sale of The Orange Box, where Valve mistakenly included a “winner of over 100 awards” label on its Steam page—a clear violation of the guidelines prohibiting such promotional content. Valve quickly rectified this error after an employee acknowledged the oversight.
3DGlyptics’ assertion that Valve is now ignoring its own rules raises questions about accountability within the platform. While it seems unlikely that any significant action will be taken against Valve, the situation highlights the importance of adhering to established standards. In a spirited response, 3DGlyptics emphasized their commitment to compliance, stating, “YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT MY STORE PAGE PRESENCE NOT ONLY ADHERES TO SUCH PUBLISHING STANDARDS BUT ALSO GRACIOUSLY AUGMENTS THEM WITH HIGH QUALITY COPY, SCREENSHOTS AND CAPSULE ART. GOOD DAY TO YOU.”
In the meantime, 3DGlyptics is hard at work on their upcoming title, BC Piezophile, a first-person action horror game set in the depths of the ocean. While it currently lacks a release date, it is available for wishlisting on Steam, fully compliant with the platform’s rules.
As the conversation unfolds, I have reached out to Valve for clarification regarding the apparent discrepancies on the Deadlock store page and will provide updates should a response be received.
