Deadlock Player Count Plummets, Valve Adjusts Development Strategy
Deadlock, Valve's MOBA-shooter, has seen a dramatic decline in its player base, with peak online counts now barely exceeding 20,000. In response, Valve has announced a significant shift in its development approach.
The previously bi-weekly update schedule is being abandoned in favor of a more flexible, less rigid system. Future updates will be released without a fixed timeline, allowing developers more time to thoroughly implement and test changes. This strategy, according to a developer, should result in more substantial and polished updates. Regular hotfixes will, however, continue to address urgent issues.
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The developers acknowledge that the previous two-week cycle, while beneficial, didn't offer sufficient time for proper implementation and testing. This prompted the change in strategy.
Deadlock's player base has fallen significantly from its peak of over 170,000 players to a current range of 18,000-20,000. However, this doesn't necessarily signal trouble for the game. Still in early development with no release date set, a launch in 2025 or beyond remains a possibility, especially considering Valve's apparent focus on the internally approved new Half-Life project.
Valve's deliberate pace prioritizes quality over speed. The company's confidence stems from the belief that a superior product will naturally attract and retain players. The adjustment to the update schedule is primarily aimed at improving the developer workflow, mirroring a similar shift in the development of Dota 2. Therefore, concerns about the game's future appear unfounded.
