Deadlock's player base has significantly shrunk, with peak online counts now below 20,000. In response, Valve is altering its development approach.
Valve will adjust its major update schedule, moving away from a fixed bi-weekly release cycle. This change, according to developers, will allow for more thorough testing and implementation of updates, resulting in more substantial and polished releases. Regular hotfixes will continue as needed.
Image: discord.gg
The previous two-week update cycle, while helpful, proved insufficient for proper testing and integration of changes. This prompted the strategic shift. Deadlock's player count has plummeted from over 170,000 at its peak to a current range of 18,000-20,000 daily players.
However, this doesn't signal impending doom. The MOBA-shooter remains in early access, with no release date set. A 2025 or later release is highly probable, particularly considering Valve's apparent internal prioritization of a new Half-Life game.
Valve's focus remains on quality over speed. The developers believe a superior product will naturally attract and retain players, making this adjustment a matter of optimizing the development process. This strategy mirrors Dota 2's evolution, which also saw a shift in update frequency over time. Therefore, there's no immediate cause for alarm.
