Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
In this opinion piece, colour caster and former Overwatch 2 coach Joshua ‘Jace’ Collishaw shares their thoughts on the rise of Deadlock and enjoying the moment, rather than getting carried away with how big the game’s esports scene could be in the future. Additionally, Wade ‘AggresiveDuck’ White also reports on the recent DeadAir charity tournament in London.
As a one-year sober former League of Legends player and long-time Overwatch fan, Deadlock piqued my interest – and the interests of many others – when the game embargo was lifted by Valve a few months ago.
The newest IP from Valve can be described as a third person hero shooter MOBA. Set in ‘Noir’ New York, the 6v6 MOBA shooter has been in ‘secret’ playtesting for months now.
Personally, the game feels oddly refreshing for its genre. From the outside it looks like the amalgamation of Smite, Dota, peak Overwatch and League of Legends. From the inside? It’s fast-paced, refreshing and fun.
Let’s enjoy this era of Deadlock before the game changes
Before getting into the already rapidly increasing esports presence Deadlock has, It’s important to remember the game is in a closed invite Alpha.
Valve releases patches roughly every two weeks as it continues to tweak the game and add polishing features. For example, Abrams and Ivy have gotten new melee animations alongside other game balance updates.
It’s important to enjoy this era of Deadlock before the game changes. Eventually the likes of the goats, the double shield, the jungle role, the AWP headglitch, will be discovered. Something that makes the game slightly less fun and more optimised. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my time playing games like this that can change massively within one patch, it’s to enjoy the moments you know you really love and just play as much as you can.
Early Deadlock esports activities
With access to private games and spectator mode, there have already been multiple Deadlock tournaments since the game’s release. Produced by SLMN and BPL, an amazing grassroots coalition of observers, casters and production mainly focused on Overwatch 2, Deadlock Fight Night EU was a three-team tournament streamed on Twitch under the same name.
Taking home a second tournament win, Buff Enjoyers, formerly Team MikaelS, have been playing together since the embargo lifted and look to be the best set of six Europe has to offer in terms of high level Deadlock. UK players Lystic and Zerggy were on this team alongside another notable name in Sharyk (formerly in the Overwatch League). Mikael got to pilot his signature Paradox alongside an impressive performance from Zerggy’s Infernus to clean sweep game one of their best of three.
Other notable names in this tournament are former Fortnite pro players from team Three Six Mafia, UK player Smeefu, Jamside and Saf.
A flock of players from a wide range of esports are nesting in early Deadlock tournaments, with names such as Taimou and BigGoose of the Overwatch League, PlaywithMe from PUBG, Hardecki from Apex Legends and many more.
It’s important to note that being in a literal closed alpha, the access to information about these tournaments is very limited. My best advice is to look for your preferred game’s ex-pro players that are openly playing Deadlock. Chances are, they will be involved in a tournament or two.
Much like a speakeasy in Noir New York itself, access and information is secretive. For example, when researching this article, I spotted Taimou and BigGoose’s names registered for the “Fissure Underworld” Deadlock tournament. I’d have to leave the Liquipedia page for Deadlock to get a reference for Taimou, who I only recognise because of their very established Overwatch career.
Oh, and please don’t feel too upset if the goat of Dota 2 or Apex or Fortnite is playing in these tournaments, I just don’t follow those scenes.
DeadAir charity tournament raises $5,000 for SpecialEffect in first Deadlock studio broadcast
By Wade ‘AggresiveDuck’ White
Deadlock content collective Dead Air, founded by broadcast talent Jacky, DAMP and Blank, recently took over the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in Shoreditch, London, to host the first studio broadcast tournament for Deadlock.
48 players from all over the world competed in the Cursed Apple Clash, which saw $5,035 raised for SpecialEffect – a UK-based charity organisation that that works to help physically disabled people play video games.
The creators included:
The tournament saw 48 different content creators and players from multiple esports titles such as Counter-Strike, Dota, Starcraft and even fighting games compete against each other on teams of six.
The eight teams were split into two groups of four, where they played in a best-of-one double elimination bracket with two teams from each group moving onto the playoff stage, where games would be best-of-three.
The team of Benny and Boys – led by British Age of Empires IV player DeMu, and a number of Starcraft 2 players, streamers and casters – Mixu, Elazer, Lambo, Kaelaris, RotterdaM – won the event over Hawk and Tuah – a team comprised of Vtubers and Dota players led by British Vtuber Reya.
