Valve's new MOBA, Deadlock, makes waves by surpassing Team Fortress 2's peak concurrent player count, highlighting its rise in popularity despite being invite-only.
Valve’s new MOBA, Deadlock, has marked a significant milestone by surpassing the all-time peak concurrent player count of one of its predecessors, Team Fortress 2 (TF2). According to PC Gamer, Deadlock reached 262,145 simultaneous players, exceeding TF2’s 253,997 on Steam, although TF2’s numbers do not include console players on the Xbox 360 and PS3. The surge coincided with the release of a new hero character, suggesting that Deadlock’s democratic hero release mechanism is intriguing the community.
This development is particularly noteworthy given that Deadlock is still officially in a phase of invite-only testing, signaling robust interest and engagement in a competitive sector dominated by giants like League of Legends and DOTA 2. While the community eagerly anticipates broader access, Valve’s position in the MOBA space appears to strengthen with these numbers.
Steam Frame and CAD Files Update
GamingOnLinux reports that Valve has also released CAD files for the Steam Frame along with updates on reservation waiting times. This move is significant for users interested in custom modifications and for the community eager to get their hands on the device. Valve’s transparency about the availability and customization of its hardware continues to be a hallmark approach in the PC gaming landscape.
Star Citizen’s Squadron 42 Gets a Steam Page
PCGamesN mentions that while Squadron 42, the much-anticipated story-driven spin-off from Star Citizen, isn’t expected to release until 2027, it has now secured a presence on Steam. This is a noteworthy development for fans following its prolonged development. With Star Citizen already surpassing a billion dollars in crowdfunding, the setup of a Steam page suggests Cloud Imperium Games is gearing up for concerted marketing and sales efforts as they near completion.
Crimson Desert Review Score Controversy
In another item, Rock Paper Shotgun highlights a controversy surrounding the early reviewer reception of Crimson Desert. An executive at Pearl Abyss believes critics did not have ample time to explore the game, potentially leading to lower review scores than user reviews. This discrepancy showcases ongoing industry debates about review practices and the pressures of aligning critical and consumer perspectives.
In all, it’s been an engaging week for PC gaming, from hardware developments with the Steam Frame to significant movements in game engagement and controversies in review processes.
