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

Deadlock player numbers have plummeted, with peak online counts now below 20,000. In response, Valve is altering its development approach.

Major updates will no longer follow a fixed bi-weekly schedule. Instead, Deadlock patches will be released on a flexible timeline, prioritizing quality over frequency, a developer stated. This shift aims to allow more thorough testing and implementation of changes, resulting in more substantial updates. Regular hotfixes will continue as needed.

Image: discord.gg

The previous two-week update cycle, while beneficial, proved insufficient for proper testing and integration of changes, prompting the strategy change. Deadlock's player base has significantly decreased from over 170,000 at its peak to a current 18,000-20,000.

However, this doesn't signal the game's demise. Deadlock, still in early development with no release date, is unlikely to launch in 2025 or beyond, especially given Valve's apparent focus on a new Half-Life title.

Valve's deliberate pace prioritizes quality over speed, betting on a satisfied player base organically driving revenue. This revised development strategy mirrors Dota 2's evolution, suggesting a calculated, not concerning, shift.