Valve Alters Deadlock's Roadmap Amidst Online Drop

Deadlock's player base has significantly shrunk, with peak online numbers now under 20,000. In response, Valve has announced a revised development strategy.

Valve will adjust its major update release schedule, moving away from a fixed bi-weekly cycle. This change, according to developers, 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 two-week update cycle, while beneficial, proved too rushed for optimal implementation, prompting the shift in strategy. Deadlock's player count has plummeted from over 170,000 at its peak to a current 18,000-20,000.

However, this doesn't signal impending doom. Deadlock, still in early access with no release date, is far from finished. A 2025 or later release is likely, particularly given the apparent internal prioritization of a new Half-Life title.

Valve's focus remains on quality over speed. The developers believe a superior product will organically attract and retain players, justifying the altered development pace. This approach 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.