Valve’s upcoming shooter, Deadlock, has gained significant momentum over the past few weeks, climbing the Twitch charts. Since the media embargo on its Alpha playtest was lifted on August 23, the game has seen a surge in viewership, largely thanks to popular content creators on the platform.
As the live-streaming success continues, discussions about the game’s potential in the esports scene have already started. Some teams are even planning to sign players for Deadlock despite it not being officially released yet. The viewership numbers from the initial tournaments suggest the game has strong competitive potential. However, time will tell whether it will thrive in the esports world or meet a similar fate as Artifact.
In the past two weeks, Deadlock has amassed 15.52 million hours watched, placing it in the top 10 games on Twitch from August 23 to September 5. This is particularly impressive considering that only select players and influencers have access to the game during its private invite-only Alpha phase.
These creators have played a crucial role in the game’s success, pushing Deadlock to a peak of 120,000 viewers on August 25 and maintaining an average of 47,600 viewers since the embargo lifted. The game, described as a hybrid between MOBA and hero shooter genres, has attracted consistently high viewership on Twitch.
DEADLOCK’S ESPORTS POTENTIAL
Feedback from influencers and media outlets has been largely positive, with praise directed at the game’s playable heroes and unique skill trees. Valve’s strategy of using word-of-mouth marketing, where only existing players can invite others, has generated excitement, further boosting its visibility.
As the buzz grows, teams like Tundra Esports and Team Spirit are already planning to announce Deadlock rosters, with current competitive action featuring streamers and players from other titles like Dota 2. The BB Deadlock Cup generated an impressive 219,200 hours watched and peaked at 36,300 viewers, showcasing the game’s potential.
While reactions from streamers have been mixed, many influencers like TheWarOwl and Shroud have praised the game, calling it complex, fun, and a fresh take on third-person shooters. However, not all influencers are on board, with summit1g openly disliking the game despite spending time playing it.
So far, Deadlock has resonated particularly well with Russian-speaking audiences, known for their affinity for Valve’s past titles like Dota 2 and CS:GO. This demographic is expected to play a key role in the game’s esports success.
In short, while Deadlock has had a strong start, much work remains ahead. With continued development, the game has the potential to thrive, especially in the competitive esports landscape.
