Deadlock's player base has significantly shrunk, with peak concurrent players now under 20,000. In response, Valve has altered its development strategy.
Major updates for Deadlock will no longer follow a fixed release schedule. This change, according to a developer, will allow for more thorough development and ultimately lead to more substantial updates. Regular hotfixes will continue as needed.
Image: discord.gg
Previously, Deadlock received bi-weekly updates. While this schedule proved helpful, developers found it insufficient for proper implementation and testing of changes. This prompted the shift in strategy.
Deadlock's player count has plummeted from over 170,000 concurrent players at its peak to a current 18,000-20,000.
However, this doesn't necessarily signal trouble. The MOBA-shooter remains in early development, with no release date set. A 2025 or later release is highly probable, particularly considering Valve's apparent internal approval of a new Half-Life project.
Valve's focus remains on quality. The company believes a superior product will naturally attract players and revenue. The adjusted update schedule primarily benefits the development team's workflow, mirroring a similar approach taken with Dota 2's development cycle. Therefore, there's no immediate cause for alarm.
