Deadlock, the MOBA-shooter from Valve, has seen a significant drop in its player base, with peak online counts now hovering around 18,000-20,000 players—a far cry from its initial peak exceeding 170,000. In response to this decline, Valve has announced a strategic shift in its development approach.

Instead of the previous bi-weekly update schedule, Deadlock will now receive major updates on a flexible, non-fixed timeline. This change, according to a developer, will allow for more thorough testing and implementation of updates, resulting in more substantial and polished releases. Regular hotfixes will continue to address critical issues as they arise.

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The developers acknowledge that the previous two-week update cycle, while helpful, didn't provide sufficient time for comprehensive testing and integration of changes. This new, more flexible approach aims to address this limitation.

While the player count decline is noteworthy, it's important to remember Deadlock is still in early development, with no release date announced. This, coupled with the apparent internal green light for a new Half-Life title, suggests that a 2025 or even 2026 release is unlikely.

Valve's adjusted strategy prioritizes quality over speed. The company's philosophy seems to be that a polished, enjoyable game will ultimately attract and retain players, generating revenue organically. This approach mirrors the evolution of Dota 2, which also saw a shift in its update frequency over time. Therefore, the change in Deadlock's development cycle shouldn't be interpreted as a sign of trouble, but rather as a strategic recalibration focused on delivering a superior gaming experience.