Deadlock player count plummets, prompting Valve to revamp its development strategy. The game's peak concurrent player count has fallen below 20,000, a significant drop from its previous high. In response, Valve has announced a revised update schedule.
Moving forward, Deadlock updates will no longer adhere to a strict bi-weekly release cycle. This change, according to developers, aims to improve the development process and allow for more substantial, well-tested updates. While major updates will be less frequent, regular hotfixes will continue to address critical issues.
Image: discord.gg
The previous two-week update cycle, while helpful, proved insufficient for thorough testing and implementation of changes, leading to the strategic shift. Deadlock's player base has shrunk dramatically; while initially exceeding 170,000 concurrent players, daily peaks now hover around 18,000-20,000.
However, this downturn doesn't signal impending doom. Deadlock, still in early development and lacking a release date, is unlikely to launch in 2025, especially given Valve's apparent focus on the internally approved new Half-Life project.
Valve's deliberate pace prioritizes quality over speed. The company believes a polished product will naturally attract players and revenue. This strategic adjustment mirrors Dota 2's development history, which also saw a shift away from frequent updates as the game matured. Therefore, the change shouldn't be cause for alarm among fans.
