Valve Restructures 'Deadlock' Development Process

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. To address this, Valve is abandoning its previous bi-weekly update schedule.

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This change, according to developers, will allow for more substantial, thoroughly tested updates. While the release of major patches will no longer adhere to a fixed timeline, regular hotfixes will continue as needed. The developers believe this revised approach will ultimately yield a higher quality product.

The game, still in early access with no official release date, is not considered in jeopardy. The reduced player count is attributed to the game's pre-release status and the potential prioritization of other Valve projects, such as the rumored new Half-Life game. Valve's strategy mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's development cycle, suggesting a long-term commitment to Deadlock's success through iterative improvements rather than rushed releases. The focus remains on creating a polished experience that organically attracts and retains players.