Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a significant player decline, with peak online counts now hovering around 18,000-20,000, a far cry from its initial peak exceeding 170,000. In response to this, Valve has announced a revised development strategy.
To improve the development process and deliver more substantial updates, Valve is abandoning its previous bi-weekly update schedule. Future updates will be released on a flexible, non-fixed timeline, allowing for more thorough testing and implementation of changes. While major updates will be less frequent, developers assure players that hotfixes will continue to be deployed as needed.
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The developers acknowledged that the previous two-week update cycle, while beneficial initially, didn't allow sufficient time for changes to fully integrate and function optimally. This shift in approach aims to rectify this issue.
Despite the player drop-off, Valve maintains that Deadlock isn't in jeopardy. The game is still in early access, with no release date set. Considering the early stage of development and the potential prioritization of the rumored new Half-Life title, a release in the near future is unlikely.
Valve's focus remains on delivering a high-quality product, believing that a satisfied player base will naturally drive revenue. This revised development approach mirrors the evolution of Dota 2's update schedule, suggesting a deliberate and considered strategy rather than a sign of trouble. The shift prioritizes developer efficiency and the creation of a polished game experience.
