How to make custom lobbies in Deadlock

Valve's Deadlock has no official release date, but you can access the game with an invite from a playtester. This is why the game has already seen a lot of action. In fact, online Deadlock community tournaments have already been played among the many playtesters. To conduct leagues and matches, the organizers usually create custom lobbies so that the participating teams can battle it out against one another. The good news is that you can make custom lobbies in Deadlock too.

This article will provide you with a step-by-step manual to create custom lobbies in Deadlock.

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How to create custom lobbies in Deadlock: A step-by-step guide

Create custom lobbies in Deadlock (Image via Valve)

Leaks regarding the existence of Deadlock began pouring out to the internet earlier this year, peaking in July 2024. Soon after, Valve confirmed the existence of the game, and enthusiasts can now see the game's official page on Steam. Deadlock is a 6v6 MOBA third-person shooter that looks somewhat similar to DOTA 2.

In-game information aside, here is how you can create custom lobbies in Deadlock to enjoy a private game with your friends:

• Once you have entered the game, you need to access the console command by pressing the F7 key. In case you have changed this key bind, click whatever key you've bound the console to.
• Once the console appears, type the following command: "private_lobby_create" and press enter.
• This will bring you to the menu of your custom lobby, which will show you two separate teams of six each. These will be called The Amber Hand and The Sapphire Flame. Players can click on a slot and get into their team of choice as long as there is a slot empty for them.
• This menu will also show you a few settings, like the map and the presence of bots. You will also see an invite code that can be used to invite others to the lobby. Friends can either be invited directly from your friends list or by sharing the code. Players can also be spectators by filling in the spectator slots.

This was the easy process of creating custom lobbies in Deadlock. As mentioned before, the game is still yet to enter open beta access. This means that you may encounter a lot of errors, bugs, or features that may not make it to the full release. Regardless, it is still extremely playable and has received many positive reviews.

Deadlock currently has 21 heroes to choose from, so you should experiment with different characters to ensure that you get your grips on some of them ahead of the full release.