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

Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a significant player decline, with peak concurrent players now under 20,000. In response, Valve is adjusting its development strategy.

Image: discord.gg

Previously adhering to a bi-weekly update schedule, Valve will now release major Deadlock updates on a flexible timeline. This change, according to developers, allows for more thorough testing and implementation of updates, resulting in more substantial and polished releases. Regular hotfixes will continue.

The game'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 the game's demise. Still in early development with no release date set, a launch in 2025 or beyond is plausible, especially considering Valve's apparent focus on a new Half-Life title.

Valve's approach prioritizes quality over speed. The developers believe a superior product will organically attract and retain players, justifying the shift in update frequency. This strategy mirrors Dota 2's development evolution, which initially featured frequent updates before transitioning to a more refined approach. Therefore, the altered development schedule shouldn't be interpreted as a negative sign for Deadlock's future.