Valve to Reduce Frequency of Deadlock Updates

Deadlock Development Shifts to Larger, Less Frequent Updates in 2025

Valve has announced a change in its update strategy for Deadlock, its free-to-play MOBA, starting in 2025. Instead of the consistent bi-weekly updates seen throughout 2024, the focus will shift to larger, less frequent patches. This decision, communicated via the official Deadlock Discord, aims to improve the development process and allow for more substantial changes.

While this news might disappoint players accustomed to the regular content drops, Valve assures that future updates will be more significant, akin to major events rather than minor hotfixes. The current two-week update cycle, according to developer Yoshi, has hindered internal iteration and prevented sufficient time for changes to settle before the next update.

Deadlock's recent winter update, featuring unique gameplay alterations, offers a glimpse into the future direction. This suggests a potential shift towards more limited-time events and special game modes as development progresses. Yoshi confirmed that future major patches will no longer adhere to a fixed schedule, prioritizing quality and impact over frequency. Hotfixes will still be deployed as needed.

The game, which initially launched on Steam in early 2024 after leaked gameplay footage, has already garnered significant attention in the competitive hero-shooter market, even alongside established titles like Marvel Rivals. Deadlock's unique steampunk aesthetic and polished gameplay have contributed to its success. Currently boasting 22 playable characters and an additional 8 in Hero Labs mode, Deadlock continues to evolve, with an official release date yet to be announced. Further news and updates are anticipated in 2025.