// PC GAMER — GAMING
Don't worry, Valve: I've got your next Deadlock character concepts sorted
The Cursed Apple is ready for Humpty Dumpty and the Loch Ness Monster's Precocious Preteen Child.
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Deadlock is one of the most delightful things happening in videogame art direction. It's a festival of phenomenal vibes: a striking setting, an all-timer aesthetic that bleeds into every scrap of environmental art and UI element, and—crucially—a roster of instantly charming occult character designs.
That roster, however, is missing something—a few somethings, in fact. While Deadlock's heroes cover a broad spectrum of the spooky and supernatural, it's got some glaring gaps where foundational elements of cryptozoology and occult lore are sorely overlooked. But don't fret, Valve designers: I've done your next round of ideation for you. I've prepared some promising character concepts that, I think we'll all agree, will realize the Cursed Apple's untapped potential. Let's begin:
Deadlock's already got draculas. It's got werewolves. It's got a Frankenstein. When you're already this deep in monster mash territory, a mummy's a layup. It's Spooky Stuff 101. The problem, however, is that it's not enough to be just a mummy in New York. New York is where they make cool people. If you're going to hang with the Cursed Apple's finest, you're going to need style.
Enter the Summer Mummy, a character first introduced in Heathcliff—the comic strip about the orange cat who isn't Garfield—on August 17, 2023. The Summer Mummy is much like your typical bandaged revenant, except chill and fun. He wears floral boardshorts. He has sunglasses. He eats ice cream (the Summer Mummy gets the sand flavor). He's an instant crowd pleaser, and it's an incredible cross-promotional opportunity. Everyone's trying to tap the lucrative Heathcliff brand.
Just to be clear: No, I didn't come up with this one because "bullpen" is a baseball thing. I just thought a minotaur in an old-timey baseball uniform would look sick. I only realized the bullpen bit afterwards—but as far as I'm concerned, that was me getting a thumbs up from an angel for my very good work.
What was the labyrinth if not the most mythological bullpen of them all? The minotaur might've been warming up his pitching arm down there. Gotta pass the time somehow. Oh! He could throw a curveball that follows a nonsense, labyrinthine path through the air. Call it a Daedalian Knuckleball or something. Give him a bull rush ability called "charge the mound." Stuff writes itself. Put my check in the mail.
There's a lot to love about this one: First, Nessie is already confirmed Deadlock canon, having arrived on Earth through the Bermuda Triangle astral gate. Second, there's never a bad time for more Scottish accents. Third, they could be buddies with Rem, Deadlock's adorable sleepspace creature.
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