Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a significant player decline, with peak online counts now hovering around 18,000-20,000, a far cry from its initial peak exceeding 170,000. In response to this, Valve has announced a strategic shift in its development approach.
To improve the development process and deliver more substantial updates, Valve will move away from its previous bi-weekly update schedule. Future Deadlock patches will be released on a flexible, non-fixed timeline. While major updates will be less frequent, they will be more comprehensive, according to a developer. Regular hotfixes will continue to address urgent issues.
Image: discord.gg
The developers acknowledged that the previous two-week update cycle, while beneficial, didn't allow sufficient time for proper implementation and testing of changes. This prompted the shift to a more deliberate development strategy.
Despite the player count drop, Valve assures players that the game is not in jeopardy. Deadlock remains in early access with no release date set. The slower development pace is likely influenced by the company's focus on other projects, potentially including the rumored new Half-Life game.
Valve's priority is delivering a high-quality product. The company believes that a polished game will naturally attract and retain players, justifying the adjusted development schedule. This strategy mirrors the evolution of Dota 2, which also transitioned from frequent updates to a more refined approach over time. Therefore, the change should not be interpreted as a negative sign for the game's future.
