Summary
One of the developers of Valve’s upcoming gameDeadlockhas given a minor update on the company’s anti-cheat plans. After the recent lifting of its playtest NDA, gamers who were able to get temporary early access have started sharing their footage, which includes evidence of aimbot use.Deadlockhas given players a lot to talk about in the last few months, sparking the interest of thousands within a short timeframe.
Even though it’s likely months away from being released,Deadlockis already one of the most popular games on Steam. Throughout the years, developer Valve has been credited with creating massive hits, such asCounter-StrikeandTeam Fortress,so it’s no surprise that fans are already blowing up the internet with questions and theories about the upcoming title.
As playtest footage forDeadlockstarted hitting the internet publicly, players reportedly noticed several instances of cheaters using aimbots and other hacks to gain an unfair advantage. This led Yoshi, one of Valve’s developers, to send a message to the game’s official Discord chat, which was later reposted on the subreddit r/DeadlockTheGame. They used the opportunity to remind players that the company is working on anti-cheat software and that the task remains one of their top priorities.
Valve Emphasizes Top Priority for Deadlock Anti-Cheat Software
Given thatDeadlockplayers were already encountering cheatersin the game despite not having a confirmed release date yet, questions and concerns regarding the issue were quick to arise. This is why, ever since July 28, 2025, there’s evidence of the developers discussing anti-cheat software on the game’s official Discord group.
Players started wondering ifDeadlockwould use VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat), the same kernel-level software that some of the developer’s other titles, such asCounter-StrikeorTeam Fortress Classic,have implemented. At the moment, Valve’s developers haven’t confirmed whether this will be the case, as kernel-level anti-cheats have been controversial over the years, as they provide great cheater detection but are also known for being rather invasive. This, along with therecent leak of allDeadlockcharacters and other details,has been a popular conversation topic among fans.
There’s a ton of speculation revolving aroundDeadlock,with some players even claiming that there’s aclear connection between Valve’s upcoming release and theHalf-Lifeuniverse. Whatever the case, it’s undeniable that, while there are currently no clear indicators pointing to a definitive release date,Deadlock’s playtest footage has made some waves. Only time will tell what the game’s anti-cheat software will look like and whether it will be able to keep cheaters away from online matches.
Deadlock
WHERE TO PLAY
Deadlock is an upcoming game from Valve which seemingly combines elements of the MOBA and hero shooter genres. As it is still in early development, gameplay and assets may be incomplete. Access is granted via friend invites.
