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 is altering its development strategy.
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Previously operating on a bi-weekly update schedule, Valve has acknowledged that this rapid release cycle hindered the proper implementation and testing of changes. The new approach will feature less frequent, but more substantial, major updates with no fixed release timeline. Regular hotfixes will continue to address critical issues. A developer stated that this shift prioritizes quality over speed.
While the player count drop is noticeable, it's important to remember Deadlock remains in early access and lacks a release date. The game's development timeline is likely impacted by other Valve projects, such as the rumored Half-Life game. This strategic shift mirrors Valve's past approach with Dota 2, which initially had frequent updates before transitioning to a more refined development process. Valve's focus remains on delivering a polished, high-quality experience, believing that a superior product will naturally attract and retain players. Therefore, the change shouldn't be viewed as a sign of the game's failure, but rather as a necessary adjustment to optimize the development process.
