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

Recently, Deadlock has seen a significant decline in player numbers, with its peak online count now hovering around 20,000 players. In response, Valve has decided to adjust its approach to the game's development to address this issue and improve the gaming experience.

Valve will now adopt a more flexible schedule for major updates for Deadlock. Instead of adhering to a fixed timeline, patches will be released when they are ready, allowing for more thorough improvements in the development process. According to one of the game's developers, this change will result in more substantial updates. However, hotfixes will continue to be released regularly as needed, ensuring that any urgent issues are addressed promptly.

Image: discord.gg

Previously, Valve released updates for Deadlock biweekly. While this cycle was initially beneficial, the developers noted that it didn't allow enough time for changes to fully take effect and function optimally. This insight led Valve to shift its strategy towards a more dynamic development process.

Deadlock's peak online presence on Steam once reached 170,000 players, but by early 2025, the highest daily count has fallen to between 18,000 and 20,000 players.

Despite this drop, it's important to understand that Deadlock is not in trouble. As a MOBA-shooter still in its early stages of development, it has no set release date. It's unlikely we'll see its launch this year or next, especially with Valve prioritizing the development of a new Half-Life game, which reportedly has received internal approval.

Valve's approach is not to rush the process but to focus on creating a high-quality product. The philosophy is clear: satisfied players will naturally contribute to the company's success. This shift in development strategy is primarily about ensuring the developers have the time they need to craft a better game. After all, Dota 2 also saw regular updates early on before its development process evolved. So, there's no need for concern; Valve is committed to enhancing Deadlock for its community.