Deadlock Update Schedule to Shift in 2025
Valve will adjust Deadlock's update cadence in 2025, prioritizing larger, less frequent patches over the current, more consistent release cycle. This change, announced on the official Deadlock Discord, follows a year of steady updates in 2024. While this might disappoint some players anticipating constant updates, it promises more substantial content drops in the future.
Deadlock, Valve's free-to-play MOBA-style hero shooter, launched on Steam earlier in 2024 after initial gameplay leaks. The game quickly gained traction, establishing itself in the competitive hero-shooter market alongside titles like Marvel Rivals. Deadlock's unique steampunk aesthetic and refined gameplay have contributed to its success. However, Valve's developer Yoshi explained that maintaining the previous two-week update cycle has proven challenging for internal development and external game balance.
According to PCGamesN, the shift to larger, less frequent updates aims to improve the development process. Yoshi stated that the previous schedule hindered iteration on certain changes and didn't allow sufficient time for adjustments to settle before the next update. This new approach will mean bigger patches, spaced further apart, functioning more like events than small hotfixes. Hotfixes will still be deployed as needed.
The recent winter update served as a preview of this new strategy, offering a significant shift from the year's balance-focused updates. This suggests future updates may incorporate more limited-time events and special game modes. The game currently boasts 22 playable characters, expandable to 30 with Hero Labs mode. Despite its unofficial release status, Deadlock has already garnered significant praise for its character diversity and anti-cheat measures. While an official release date remains unannounced, further Deadlock news is expected in 2025.
