Deadlock, Valve's innovative MOBA-shooter, has recently seen a significant decline in its player base, with peak online numbers now hovering around 20,000 players. In response, Valve has announced a strategic shift in the game's development approach, aiming to enhance the quality and impact of updates.

Valve is moving away from the biweekly update schedule that Deadlock initially followed. The new strategy involves releasing major patches without a fixed timeline, which the developers believe will allow for more thorough development and testing. This change aims to ensure that updates are more substantial and effective. Meanwhile, hotfixes will continue to be rolled out as necessary to address immediate issues.

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The decision to alter the update schedule comes after recognizing that the previous two-week cycle did not allow sufficient time for changes to fully integrate and stabilize within the game. Deadlock's peak online presence on Steam once soared past 170,000 players, but as of early 2025, this number has dwindled to between 18,000 and 20,000 daily players.

Despite the drop in player numbers, there's no cause for alarm. Deadlock remains in its early development phase and has yet to receive a release date. This suggests that a launch is not imminent, particularly as Valve appears to be prioritizing the development of a new Half-Life game. Valve's focus is on delivering a high-quality product, understanding that satisfied players will naturally contribute to the company's revenue. The shift in development strategy is more about ensuring the developers have the time and flexibility needed to create a polished game.

This approach is not unprecedented for Valve. Dota 2 also saw changes in its update frequency during its early days, which ultimately led to a more stable and enjoyable game. Therefore, the adjustments to Deadlock's development process should be seen as a positive step toward a better gaming experience, rather than a sign of trouble.