Deadlock Appears in Perfect World’s Esports App: Valve’s Game Gains Official Infrastructure
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21.08.2026 08:15
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2 min read
Chinese publisher and key regional partner of Valve, Perfect World, has added the competitive shooter Deadlock as a full-fledged section in its official app. Previously, the platform exclusively served the tournament and user ecosystem of Dota 2 and Counter-Strike.
In the client update on the App Store, Deadlock now has extensive features: pages for player statistics, character and item databases, and detailed match analytics for the standard mode and Street Brawl mode. This integration points to the rollout of a full competitive infrastructure for a mass audience.
Open Beta Expectations at The International
Deadlock’s appearance in the app coincides with The International 2026 in Shanghai (August 13–23). The tournament is held with direct involvement from Perfect World, which handles ticket distribution, technical support, and the development of Steam China.
Amid overlapping audiences, theories have emerged in communities on Reddit about a possible public announcement during the final days of the championship—such as an open beta test or a major content update. The International has historically served as Valve’s main media showcase of the year.
Development Status
Despite partner activity, the game’s official status remains unchanged. The Steam page states that the project is in early development and uses temporary assets.
Access to Deadlock is still granted via invites from current testers, and Valve and Perfect World have not yet officially announced a timeline for the open beta phase.
