Amid an online decline, Valve changes the development flow for Deadlock

Deadlock's player base has significantly shrunk, with peak concurrent players now under 20,000. In response, Valve is altering its development strategy.

Valve will adjust its major update release schedule, moving away from a fixed two-week cycle. This change, according to a developer, will allow for more thorough testing and implementation of updates, resulting in more substantial and polished releases. Regular hotfixes will continue as needed.

Image: discord.gg

The previous bi-weekly update schedule, while helpful, proved too rushed for optimal integration of changes. This prompted the shift in approach. Deadlock's player count has plummeted from over 170,000 concurrent players at its peak to a current range of 18,000-20,000.

However, this doesn't signal imminent failure. The MOBA-shooter remains in early access, with no release date announced. A 2025 or later release is highly probable, especially considering Valve's apparent focus on the internally approved new Half-Life project.

Valve's deliberate pace prioritizes quality over speed. The developers believe a superior product will naturally attract and retain players. This strategy mirrors Dota 2's evolution, which also transitioned from frequent updates to a more refined development process. Therefore, there's no immediate cause for alarm regarding Deadlock's future.