Why Deadlock is the weirdest king on Steam right now

Steam wishlists are a funny thing. We all click that button for games we want to play. It feels like a promise to our future selves. You save a spot for a title, then wait for the big launch day. It's a simple ritual for millions of us.

But something feels broken lately. The top of the list is a total mess. A game that everyone is already playing sits at the very top. It makes no sense. Why is an active, massive title still treated like a secret?

It's time to talk about the state of Steam. We need to look at how these lists work. Or rather, how they don't work. Let's dig into the strange case of Deadlock and why the rankings are currently a total joke.

How the wishlist game got so messy

For a long time, Subnautica 2 held the crown. It was the most wanted game for ages. Fans waited patiently for any scrap of news. They clicked that wishlist button and held their breath. It was the gold standard for anticipation.

Then, the launch happened. Subnautica 2 finally arrived in early access. Everyone cheered. The game moved from the wishlist to the library. It was a natural cycle. The system worked exactly as it should.

But when one king leaves, another should take its place. That's the rule. We expect a new, unreleased game to climb to the top. We expect a fresh face. Instead, we got a ghost from the past.

The king that should not be there

Enter Deadlock. You know it. I know it. Valve knows it. It's a hero shooter with MOBA bits. It's loud, it's fast, and it's everywhere. It has been playable for almost two years now.

The player counts are huge. We see over 50,000 people playing it at once. Sometimes the peaks hit 170,000. That's not an "unreleased" game. That's a live, functioning product. It has updates, patches, and new heroes.

Valve keeps the "unreleased" tag on it. They act like it's still in the oven. It's a weird move. They clearly want to keep the hype train rolling without an official label. But the community sees right through that.

Think about what "early access" means. It means you can play the game. You can give feedback. You can buy items. Deadlock does all of these things. It's effectively out. Keeping it on a wishlist is absurd.

It creates a weird loop. People see it at the top and add it to their lists. Then they play it. Then they keep it on their list because the system tells them to. It's a cycle of confusion. It ruins the point of the chart.

The real winner should be Light No Fire. It's from the team behind No Man's Sky. People are genuinely excited for it. It's a true, unreleased title. It deserves that top spot way more than a game we already play every single weekend.

Numbers that tell a strange story

Let's look at the hard data. Deadlock isn't just a small project. It's a massive operation. The concurrent player counts prove it. You don't get 170,000 players by accident. You get them because the game is ready.

Valve built a giant. They can't hide it behind a "coming soon" label forever. The metrics don't lie. When millions have access to a game, it is released. It's as simple as that.

The wishlist algorithm relies on clicks. It doesn't care if you've already logged 100 hours. If the store page says "add to wishlist," people will click it. The system lacks the logic to know the difference. It's a flaw in the design.

What this means for the future of steam

This situation shows a need for change. Steam needs a way to filter out games that are already playable. We need to see what is coming. We need to see the real future of gaming.

Developers use these lists to gauge interest. If the top of the chart is full of "Schrödinger's games," it hurts everyone. It hides the indie gems. It obscures the projects that need our support.

I hope Valve fixes this. They made the platform. They can change the rules. Let's get back to finding new games to love. Let's make the wishlist mean something again.

Quick questions answered

• Is Deadlock released? It is in early access. You can play it right now. It is a live game.
• Why is it still on the wishlist? Valve hasn't officially launched it. The store page still treats it like a future title.
• Who is the new top game? Light No Fire is the new king. It is a real, unreleased project.
• Do wishlists matter? Yes. They help games get noticed. They show devs what people want.
• Can I play Deadlock today? Yes. Just ask for an invite or find a friend who plays.