Deadlock update catapults Valve's shooter to top of Steam charts

A major new update for Valve's in-development hero shooter Deadlock has rocketed the game to the top of Steam's charts, according to a report from IGN.

The patch delivered a substantial map overhaul, introduced six fresh heroes, and added new enemy mobs and objectives. It also brought a visual refresh to the heads-up display, health bars, and the in-game shop.

Valve also pushed technical upgrades, moving the game to the latest Source 2 engine build and implementing improved anti-cheat measures alongside performance boosts for rendering and audio.

The update's impact was immediate. IGN reports Deadlock smashed its all-time concurrent player record, hitting a peak of over 220,000 players overnight to become the sixth most-played title on Steam. This surge is notable given the game is still in a limited, invite-only testing phase.

In a Steam post cited by IGN, the developer outlined future plans, including large item redesigns and potential alternate game modes. Work on mid-boss enemies and other key units is also slated. A public release date or beta window has not been announced.