Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, is undergoing a development shift in response to a significant player decline. Peak concurrent players have plummeted from over 170,000 to a mere 18,000-20,000. This hasn't signaled an end to the project, however.
To improve the development process, Valve is abandoning its previous bi-weekly update schedule. Future updates will be released on a flexible timeline, prioritizing quality over frequency. While hotfixes will remain a regular occurrence, major updates will be more substantial and less frequent, according to developers.
Image: discord.gg
The developers acknowledge that the previous two-week cycle, while helpful, didn't allow sufficient time for implemented changes to fully stabilize and function optimally. This strategic shift aims to rectify this issue.
Despite the player count drop, the game remains in early access with no release date announced. Given the game's early development stage and the potential prioritization of a new Half-Life title (reportedly internally approved), a release in the near future is unlikely.
Valve's approach emphasizes long-term quality over rapid iteration. The company believes a polished product will ultimately attract and retain players, justifying the altered development strategy. This mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's update schedule, suggesting a similar, successful long-term plan for Deadlock. There is no immediate cause for alarm regarding the game's future.
