Valve’s upcoming Deadlock is building interest around a cast of original heroes, despite remaining in a closely controlled closed beta. The game’s latest addition, Solomon, is a chess grandmaster whose detailed reload animations have given players another reason to examine every frame.
Set in an alternate, mid-century New York, Deadlock follows rival deities competing for control of the city. A catastrophic event known as the Maelstrom has brought magical creatures and other fantasy threats into its streets, while skilled heroes join opposing factions in the hope of having their wishes fulfilled.
Solomon appears in a lotus position and was introduced with five other heroes in the “City Never Sleeps” update. He has attracted attention alongside an illustrious witch of folklore and The Nutcracker’s sewer-loving antagonist.
Chess is central to Solomon’s abilities. He can remove pieces from his board and summon enormous versions of them onto the battlefield, where they move according to the behaviour of their smaller counterparts. For players interested in how game presentation translates to dedicated hardware, RETROCADE’s arcade news and features explore similar design details across the industry.
Solomon’s board changes after every reload. The remaining ammunition determines a new arrangement, with each position drawn from a real historical chess game. Examples identified include Maurice Ashley versus Josh Waitzkin in 1999 and Nakamura versus Van…
The reload sequence has become one of Solomon’s most closely observed details. Each ammunition-based board layout references a notable match, including Adolf Anderssen versus Lionel Kieseritzky’s 1851 “Immortal Game” and Deep Blue’s 1996 victory over Garry Kasparov. A player cheating scandal involving an anal vibrator in 2022 is not represented among the recreated positions.
A video shared by the newcomer Solomon community shows the character’s distinctive presentation, while further examples of the board variations were documented on pic.twitter.com/OVe3VhMYgx. The details were highlighted on October 10, 2026.
The care invested in Solomon arrives as live-service shooters face growing player scepticism. In a crowded field, Deadlock is generating interest through an unusual world and a cast of eccentric characters rather than relying solely on familiar superhero brands. That approach stands apart from Concord and Marvel Rivals, which took more recognisable approaches to character design and presentation.
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