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

Deadlock's player base has significantly shrunk, with peak online counts now under 20,000. In response, Valve is altering its development approach.

Major updates will no longer adhere to a strict bi-weekly schedule. Instead, a more flexible release timeline will allow for more thorough development and testing, resulting in more substantial updates, according to a developer. Regular hotfixes will continue as needed.

Image: discord.gg

The previous two-week update cycle, while helpful, proved insufficient for proper implementation and testing of changes. This prompted the strategic shift.

Deadlock's peak player count once surpassed 170,000, but has plummeted to 18,000-20,000 by early 2025.

However, this doesn't signal the game's demise. Still in early access with no release date, a launch in 2025 or beyond is plausible, especially considering Valve's apparent focus on a new Half-Life title.

Valve's prioritization of quality over speed is a deliberate strategy. A polished game will naturally attract players and revenue. The change mirrors Dota 2's development evolution, beginning with frequent updates before transitioning to a more refined process. Therefore, there's no immediate cause for alarm.