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

by Andrew Jan 17,2025

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

Major updates for Deadlock will no longer follow a fixed 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.

Valve adjusts Deadlock development Image: discord.gg

Previously, Deadlock received bi-weekly updates. While useful, developers found this cadence didn't allow sufficient time for implemented changes to fully settle and function optimally.

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

Does this signal trouble? Not necessarily. The MOBA-shooter remains in early development, lacking a release date. A 2025 release is unlikely, especially given the apparent internal approval for a new Half-Life title.

Valve's focus is on quality. The company believes a superior product will naturally attract players and revenue. This strategic shift prioritizes developer efficiency, mirroring the evolution of Dota 2's update cycle. Therefore, there's no immediate reason for alarm.

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