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

Deadlock Player Count Plummets, Valve Adjusts Development Strategy

Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a dramatic decline in player numbers, with peak online counts now barely reaching 20,000. In response, Valve has announced a significant shift in its development approach.

The previously bi-weekly update schedule is being scrapped in favor of a more flexible system. Major updates will no longer adhere to a fixed timeline, allowing developers more time to implement and refine changes. This, according to a developer, should result in more substantial and polished updates. Regular hotfixes will, however, continue as needed.

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The developers acknowledged that the previous two-week cycle, while helpful, didn't allow sufficient time for comprehensive testing and implementation. This prompted the strategic shift.

Deadlock's player base has experienced a significant drop, from over 170,000 peak concurrent players to a current range of 18,000-20,000.

Despite this decline, the game's future isn't necessarily in jeopardy. Still in early development with no release date set, a launch in 2025 or beyond is entirely possible, especially considering Valve's apparent focus on a new Half-Life title.

Valve's strategy prioritizes quality over speed, betting that a superior product will naturally attract players and revenue. This approach mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's development cycle, which also transitioned away from frequent updates. Therefore, the change shouldn't be interpreted as a sign of concern for the game's long-term prospects.