Valve, a studio beloved for its iconic franchises, has been relatively quiet on the game development front lately. But whispers of a new project codenamed "Neon Prime" or "Citadel" have been circulating for years. Now, it seems the rumors are solidifying, with the game being dubbed "Deadlock."

Reliable leakers Gabe Follower and Pavel Djundik (SteamDB) have shed some light on the alleged title. Deadlock is described as a competitive 6v6 third-person hero shooter, blending elements of Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, and even Bioshock Infinite. The setting appears to be a unique mix of steampunk and fantasy, featuring magicians, robots, and fantastical creatures battling it out in a modern European-inspired city.

While intriguing, it's important to note that Valve has yet to officially confirm Deadlock's existence. The information available comes from leaks and should be taken with a grain of salt, as the project could have evolved significantly over its development period.

However, the sources involved are reputable, and the details revealed paint a fascinating picture of what could be Valve's next big multiplayer venture. If the rumors prove true, Deadlock has the potential to shake up the hero shooter genre and reignite excitement for Valve's creative output.

Fans will have to wait for official confirmation from Valve to know for sure, but the prospect of a new, innovative hero shooter from the studio behind Half-Life and Dota 2 is certainly tantalizing.