Deadlock Archives

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Mobile revenue remained flat across 2025, but PC gaming “sees another record year” | Sensor Tower State of Gaming 2026

Digital intelligence and analytics firm Sensor Tower's State of Gaming 2026 report reveals that mobile game revenue has remained flat, while PC and console gaming revenues have surged by 13%. In 2025, there were 52 billion downloads across all platforms, with mobile games downloaded at a rate of 95,000 per minute, although this represents a decline from 2024. Mobile game revenue increased by only 1%, indicating a shift towards retaining and monetizing existing players. In contrast, PC gaming, particularly on Steam, achieved record gains in units sold and revenue, driven by AA and AAA publishers. The shooter genre performed strongly, with Battlefield 6 as the best-selling game, followed by EA Sports FC 25 and 26. In the free-to-play category, Skate was the most downloaded title. Indie games like R.E.P.O. and Peak were recognized as top sellers. Data trends indicate that PC gamers are generally younger, while hypercasual gamers tend to be female. The strategy genre gained traction in mobile gaming, led by Last War: Survival and Whiteout Survival.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

I’m sad Deadlock is ‘just’ a MOBA—not because I don’t like them, but because I’m in love with Valve’s lore and characters enough to want any other game instead

The author is currently engaged with the game Deadlock, which has rekindled their interest in MOBAs after a significant time spent on Dota 2. They have logged 183 hours in Deadlock and are captivated by its gameplay, voice lines, lore, and worldbuilding. Deadlock is still in development, featuring an incomplete roster and some subpar character models, but it also showcases impressive designs and evolving visuals. The game is structured around three lanes and a single map, leading the author to express a desire for a standalone single-player experience or expanded universe content. They believe Deadlock has the potential for a deeper exploration, including possibilities for an MMO or tabletop RPG.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

I would die for Deadlock’s new hero Rem, who also has one of the best easter eggs I’ve seen in a competitive PvP game

The gaming community is voting on which of Valve's six new heroes will debut in Deadlock, with players favoring Rem, a charming nap enthusiast. Rem has unique abilities: Pillow Toss, which damages and knocks back enemies while reducing his cooldowns; Tag Along, allowing him to leap to an ally and heal; a third ability that introduces a smaller companion for assistance; and his ultimate ability, Naptime, which slows and immobilizes opponents, causing them to fall asleep and take damage upon waking. Rem is the first of six new heroes set for release, with the next character to be unveiled on January 29. Additionally, there is a Rem-themed easter egg in the game featuring a secret bedroom with details like plush pillows and 'vote for me' posters, along with tiny companions and surprises.

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Deadlock dev teases the community over its favorite hero that was briefly tested and removed: ‘We made delicious stock out of his bones and meats’

Slork, a hero in the game Deadlock, was initially introduced during private testing and later rebranded as Fathom. He was part of a hero labs feature that allowed players to experiment with characters in development. However, as the game evolved, the hero labs mode was removed, and while four of the eight characters from that phase were integrated into the game's core roster, Fathom was not included and was subsequently removed. The announcement of Slork's removal was met with disbelief and humor, particularly after a developer jokingly mentioned making a stock from his bones and meats in response to community lament. This comment, along with a specific cooking instruction of "7 hours," underscored the character's demise and left fans mourning his loss.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Fallout Special

PC Gamer features an exclusive look at the evolution of the Fallout franchise, highlighting its transformation from a cult classic to a global sensation. The narrative covers early titles like Fallout 1 and 2, through to Fallout: New Vegas, and culminates with the Anniversary Edition upgrade of Fallout 4. The issue also includes insights from key figures behind the franchise and a preview of the upcoming Fallout TV show. Additionally, the magazine discusses Valve's new game, Deadlock, which combines movement shooter elements with MOBA strategy, offering initial impressions and a guide for new players. Digital editions of PC Gamer are available in PDF and EPUB format through Pocketmags.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Here are the top 20 most wishlisted games on Steam as we charge headfirst into 2026

The 20 most wishlisted games on Steam include: 20. Vindictus: Defying Fate - A spinoff of the 2012 MMO, set to attract Souls enthusiasts with its focus on dodges and counterattacks. 18. Reanimal - A co-op horror adventure from the creators of Little Nightmares, releasing on February 13, 2026. 17. Mouse: PI for Hire - A visually captivating title combining boomer shooter energy with rubberhose animation, set to release on March 19, 2026. 14. Chrono Odyssey - A photorealistic MMORPG featuring time manipulation mechanics, expected to launch in Q4 2026. 13. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check - A base management simulator set in a zombie apocalypse, releasing in 2025 with a demo available on Steam. 12. Witchbrook - A cooperative life simulation game with pixel art, anticipated to release in 2026. 11. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - A tactical RPG aiming to return to the franchise's roots, expected in 2026 with a demo available. 10. Half Sword - A physics-based swordfighting dueling simulator entering early access in Q1 2026. 9. Unrecord - A police officer simulation game with realistic visuals and moral dilemmas, with no announced release date. 8. Ark 2 - A sequel featuring survival crafting mechanics, currently without a clear release date. 7. Blight: Survival - A co-op survival horror game set in a medieval landscape, with no release window yet. 6. Slay the Spire 2 - A sequel to the acclaimed deckbuilding game, expected to launch in March 2026. 5. Kingmakers - A game where players use modern weaponry in medieval England, delayed indefinitely. 4. Resident Evil Requiem - The latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. 3. Light No Fire - A fantasy survival adventure from Hello Games, with no release date announced after seven years of development. 2. Deadlock - A MOBA in invite-only testing, with no clear release date available. 1. Subnautica 2 - Set to enter early access in 2026, continuing the underwater exploration theme of its predecessors.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Valve sleuth says new datamine is “effectively direct confirmation” of Team Fortress 2 being ported to Source 2

Valve is working on a project referred to as 'TF,' which is likely related to Team Fortress 2. Tyler McVicker has indicated that new code confirms Team Fortress 2 is being transitioned to Source 2. A recent datamine revealed a mechanic specific to Team Fortress 2, suggesting that maps from the game are being ported to the new engine. However, the exact intentions behind this project, whether it is a remaster or a sequel, remain unclear. The project is still in early stages, and its future development is uncertain.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

A ‘small update’ just shook up Deadlock’s basic mechanics and tweaked nearly every hero

Deadlock's invite-only beta has introduced significant gameplay changes, particularly in lane creep mechanics, now called Troopers. Players must manually secure the first half of the souls from defeated Troopers, promoting a more aggressive playstyle. Additionally, players can collect souls from Troopers that have perished even if they arrive late to the lane, ensuring a consistent income. Nearly every hero has undergone balancing, with some receiving substantial updates, such as Mirage's ultimate ability allowing him to teleport to friendly objectives.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Half-Life fans are in a frenzy over the prospect of a Half-Life 3 announcement that there’s (almost) no good reason to believe is happening

Half-Life 3 speculation has increased, driven by coincidences such as the anniversary of previous Half-Life releases and a recent post by Geoff Keighley. Gabe Newell hinted at future developments in the series, and the conclusion of Half-Life: Alyx suggests a new installment could be forthcoming. Valve is set to launch new hardware next year, which has intensified speculation about bundling a new game with these products. The community's opinions on the likelihood of an announcement vary widely, with a recent survey showing a mix of skepticism and optimism.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

I can’t live without the Steam Deck’s trackpads anymore, and I hope the Steam Controller forces the competition to adopt them

Valve has announced its latest Steam Controller, which closely resembles its predecessor. The controller features large circular trackpads that enhance gameplay for PC games typically unplayable with standard gamepads. While the design may not seem groundbreaking, the trackpads make various game genres more accessible for gamers who prefer not to use a mouse and keyboard. Despite the existence of other controllers with trackpads, such as PlayStation's DualSense and DualShock 4, their implementations are often seen as underutilized. The Steam Controller aims to bridge the gap between mouse precision and the tactile enjoyment of traditional gamepads, potentially inspiring new game types or enhancing existing ones. Valve has refined its trackpad concept over the years, demonstrating its potential in the gaming market.