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Valve Pivots Deadlock Development Amidst Digital Downturn

By AidenFeb 11,2025

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 current range of 18,000-20,000. This has prompted Valve to revise its update strategy.

Previously adhering to a bi-weekly update schedule, Valve will now adopt a more flexible approach. Major updates will no longer be tied to a fixed timeline, allowing developers more time for thorough implementation and testing. While the frequency of major updates will decrease, developers assure players that substantial improvements are expected, with hotfixes continuing as needed.

Deadlock Development ShiftImage: discord.gg

This change, according to the development team, is a necessary adjustment. The previous two-week cycle, while beneficial, proved insufficient for adequately implementing and testing changes.

Despite the player count drop, Valve maintains that Deadlock's development is progressing well. The game remains in early access, with no release date announced. The company's focus, and the likely reason for the slower pace, may be attributed to internal prioritization of the new Half-Life project.

Valve's strategy prioritizes quality over speed. The developers believe that a polished, enjoyable game will ultimately attract and retain players, making this a strategic, not a concerning, adjustment. This approach mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's development cycle. Therefore, while the player base is smaller than anticipated, the long-term outlook remains positive.

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