Valve banned The Verge from its secret Deadlock playtest for leaking information on the game

A contentious situation: Valve appears to be at odds with The Verge over access to a new MOBA game in closed beta testing. While no legal action has been taken, Valve has banned the tech publication from the secretive test, which has garnered significant attention despite attempts to keep it hush-hush.

Background information reveals that details of the project, known by various codenames, have been leaking for some time. Described as a blend of elements from popular games like Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, and Overwatch, the MOBA, codenamed Deadlock, has already been seen in gameplay footage, making its existence less of a secret.

Valve recently expanded its closed beta test to include thousands of players, one of whom was The Verge’s Sean Hollister. Hollister wrote an article detailing his experience playing the game, emphasizing that he had not signed any non-disclosure agreements and believed the game to be a legitimate Valve production.

We played Valve’s secret new shooter: Deadlock. It’s like Overwatch, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 all baked into a pie https://t.co/wRRB8t1mcO

– Tom Warren (@tomwarren) August 13, 2024

Hollister’s article included insights into the gameplay and featured screenshots and a gif showcasing a unique game mechanic.

Following the publication, Valve fans criticized The Verge for revealing details about a supposed secret game. Some accused Hollister of violating an NDA, though the disclaimer included in the game was more of a suggestion than a binding agreement.

Despite the controversy, Valve took action by banning Hollister from the closed beta, leading to speculation about potential repercussions for The Verge. While legal action is possible, it seems unlikely, with Valve not even issuing a cease and desist order. The Verge remains defiant, and the situation may result in the publication being excluded from future previews, though the impact may be minimal given the scarcity of Valve’s game releases.