Deadlock Revival: Valve Revamps Development
Deadlock Player Count Plummets, Valve Adjusts Development Strategy
Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a significant drop in its player base, with peak online numbers now rarely exceeding 20,000. In response, Valve has announced a revised development approach.
Image: discord.gg
The previous bi-weekly update schedule, while beneficial, proved too restrictive, hindering the implementation and testing of significant changes. Moving forward, Deadlock updates will follow a flexible timeline, prioritizing quality over frequency. Developers promise more substantial updates as a result, while assuring players that hotfixes will continue as needed.
The game's popularity has undeniably waned since its peak of over 170,000 concurrent players. However, this doesn't signal impending doom. Deadlock remains in early access, with no release date set. Given the game's developmental stage and the apparent prioritization of a new Half-Life title within Valve, a release in the near future is unlikely.
Valve's strategy prioritizes long-term quality over rapid iteration. The belief is that a polished, enjoyable game will naturally attract and retain players. This approach mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's development cycle, which initially featured frequent updates before transitioning to a more refined process. Therefore, the shift in Deadlock's development strategy shouldn't be interpreted as a sign of trouble.
