If you’re a MOBA fan who’s been scrolling through Steam news feeds and gaming subreddits for updates on Valve’s secretive new competitive title, you’ve almost certainly wondered how long is Deadlock playtest before the full public release. I’ve been selected for two consecutive closed Deadlock playtest rounds over the last six months, so I’ve got first-hand insight into exactly how long these tests run, what happens during each phase, and what you can do to boost your chances of getting an invite. Valve doesn’t publish official timelines for most of their playtesting cycles, so a lot of the info floating around online is either outdated or flat-out wrong. This guide breaks down everything you need to know based on my actual experience in the test servers.
How Long Is Deadlock Playtest for Closed and Open Testing Phases
First, let’s get the core question out of the way. Closed Deadlock playtest rounds typically run between 21 and 28 days, based on the three public testing cycles that have run so far. The very first closed playtest in early 2024 ran exactly 21 days, cut short by a few critical server bugs that crashed most matches during the second week. The second round ran 24 days, and the most recent round in late 2024 ran 27 days, as Valve added more content and extended the test to collect extra balance data.
So far, Valve hasn’t announced an open playtest, but based on their past release patterns for games like Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2, an open playtest would likely run between 4 and 6 weeks before the full public launch. These rounds don’t run back to back, either. There’s usually a gap of 4 to 6 weeks between closed playtest rounds, where Valve’s dev team fixes bugs, adjusts hero balance, adds new features, and reviews all the feedback submitted by testers. I noticed the gap between the second and third playtest was only 3 weeks, which is a pretty clear sign that the team is ramping up progress and getting closer to a full launch. If you’re on the waitlist, that means you can expect more frequent test invites over the next few months.
What Happens During a Typical Deadlock Playtest Cycle
Each playtest follows a loose structure, even if the exact length changes from round to round. The first 72 hours of any playtest are reserved for critical bug fixing and server stability checks, so only a small batch of 1,000 to 2,000 testers get access during this window. I was in the first batch for the third playtest, and most of my matches that first weekend had frequent lag spikes and occasional crashes, but the devs were pushing patches every few hours to fix issues as they popped up.
Once the initial server stress test is done, Valve opens access to the rest of the selected testers, usually between 10,000 and 15,000 people total for closed rounds. For the next 10 to 14 days, you can expect daily small patches that adjust hero damage, fix UI bugs, and sometimes add entirely new game modes or heroes. You’ll also get regular in-game surveys asking for your feedback on specific features, and access to a private Discord server to report bugs directly to the dev team.
The last 3 to 7 days of the playtest are usually a feature freeze, meaning no new content is added. Valve uses this window to test ranked mode, collect data on high-skill match outcomes, and send out longer exit surveys to get feedback on the round as a whole. If you’re selected as a tester, you get a bunch of perks during the active cycle, including:
- Exclusive access to unreleased heroes, skins, and game modes not available to the general public
- Direct access to a private Discord server where you can report bugs and give feedback directly to Valve developers
- The ability to influence final game balance and feature decisions before the full launch
- A special in-game badge and exclusive cosmetic skin that carries over to the full public release
I got the playtest exclusive badge and skin during the second round, and the devs confirmed it will only be available to people who participated in closed playtests, so it’s a pretty rare reward for early fans.
Factors That Change How Long a Deadlock Playtest Runs
Valve never sticks to a fixed timeline for playtests, so don’t be surprised if a round you’re excited for gets extended or cut short with very little warning. Critical server or gameplay bugs are the most common reason for shortened playtest rounds, as we saw with the first closed test that ended 3 days early when a bug made it impossible to complete matches without crashing. If the devs find a bug that ruins core gameplay, they’d rather end the round early and fix it instead of wasting time collecting bad feedback.
On the flip side, positive tester feedback can lead to extended playtest rounds. The third playtest was supposed to end after 24 days, but the new 2v2 capture point mode got 80% positive feedback from testers, so Valve extended it 3 extra days to collect more data on mode balance and match length. The devs even added a few extra custom game options for that extended window to test what players wanted most.
The upcoming launch timeline also plays a big role. If the team is targeting a specific release window for the full game, they’ll run shorter, more frequent playtests to hit that date instead of extending rounds. I noticed the last round had far fewer major bugs than the first two, so the team is definitely getting close to a state where they’re ready for wider release.
How to Get Selected for an Upcoming Deadlock Playtest
Now that you know how playtests work, you’re probably wondering how to get an invite for the next round. I get asked this all the time on my gaming Discord, and there are a few simple things you can do to boost your chances of being selected. First, make sure your Steam profile is set to public, and that you have at least 100 hours of playtime in other MOBA games like Dota 2, League of Legends, or Smite on your account. Valve prioritizes players who have experience with the genre, because they’re more likely to give relevant, useful feedback on hero balance and game mechanics instead of just playing for fun.
Second, sign up for the official playtest waitlist directly on the Deadlock Steam page, and opt in for email updates from Valve. 90% of playtest invites are sent directly through Steam or email to people on the official waitlist, so this is the easiest way to get considered. You must have a Steam account in good standing with no VAC bans in the last 2 years to qualify for playtest access, so make sure your account doesn’t have any active restrictions before you sign up.
Third, follow the official Deadlock X (Twitter) account and join the public Deadlock Discord server. The devs sometimes drop random playtest codes for followers during test rounds, usually for people who share feedback or fan art of the game. If you’re a small content creator with 1,000 or more followers on Twitch or YouTube, you can also apply for the creator playtest pool, which has a much higher acceptance rate than the general waitlist. One important warning: never pay for third-party Deadlock playtest codes, as they are almost always scams. Valve never sells playtest access, and all legitimate codes are sent directly to users for free, so any listing selling codes is a rip-off.
At the end of the day, knowing how long is Deadlock playtest can help you plan your schedule so you don’t miss out on the action and exclusive rewards if you get an invite. If you do get selected, make sure to fill out all the surveys and report every bug you run into, because your feedback directly shapes the final version of the game that millions of people will play. I’ve had an absolute blast playing the game over the last few months, and even in its early closed test state, it feels polished, fun, and unique enough to stand out in the crowded MOBA space. It’s definitely worth signing up for the waitlist if you’re a fan of competitive team games.