In a recent update, the popular MOBA game, Deadlock, has rolled out a new "prefer to avoid" hero selection mechanism. This innovative feature permits players to designate a single hero they prefer not to encounter during matchmaking in both standard ranked play and the more casual Street Brawl mode. While this functionality provides a welcome layer of personalization to the gaming experience, it conspicuously excludes the six newly released characters from the "Old Gods, New Blood" expansion, presenting a unique challenge and opportunity for the game's evolving meta.
Typically, MOBA titles incorporate a ban phase in their ranked queues, where teams strategically eliminate certain characters before hero selection. This traditional approach, exemplified by games like League of Legends, involves pre-game discussions and tactical decision-making to counter opponents' potential picks or remove overpowered heroes from contention. Such systems are crucial for maintaining competitive balance and fostering diverse gameplay. Deadlock's current implementation diverges from this standard, opting for a more individualistic player preference system rather than a collaborative team ban.
The current hero avoidance system in Deadlock, where players individually select a hero to bypass without team consultation, simplifies the matchmaking process. This streamlined approach allows players to sidestep characters they find particularly challenging or annoying, enabling them to focus on mastering new heroes or specific strategies without constant interference from hard counters. Although it lacks the strategic depth of a full draft, it effectively addresses the immediate player need for a more controlled and enjoyable match environment, especially as the game continues to evolve.
The decision to exclude newly introduced heroes from this avoidance option is likely a deliberate move by the developers. During a game's pre-alpha phase, especially with a modest roster of only 34 playable heroes, it's vital to ensure that new content is thoroughly tested and integrated into the community's gameplay patterns. Allowing players to immediately avoid new heroes could hinder data collection on their performance, balance, and overall impact, which is critical for future development and fine-tuning. This limitation encourages broader exposure to the latest additions, facilitating a more comprehensive evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses within the game's ecosystem.
This "prefer to avoid" system is particularly beneficial given Deadlock's relatively small hero pool in its early development stage. A conventional ban system, if applied to every player in a 6v6 match, could potentially sideline a significant portion of the available roster in every game. This would severely limit hero diversity and strategic options. By implementing a more restrictive, individual preference system, Deadlock ensures that matches remain dynamic while still offering players some agency over their in-game experience, striking a balance between player comfort and developmental necessity.
The introduction of Deadlock's hero avoidance feature marks a significant step in the game's ongoing development, reflecting a commitment to player experience while carefully managing the implications of new content. This system, distinct from traditional MOBA ban phases, allows individual players to influence their matchmaking encounters by specifying a hero they wish to avoid, though this does not apply to the latest hero releases. This thoughtful approach navigates the complexities of competitive play in a growing game, offering a practical solution for player satisfaction without compromising critical data collection on emerging characters.