Valve Delays Updates for 'Deadlock'

Deadlock Development Shifts to Larger, Less Frequent Updates in 2025

Valve has announced a change of pace for Deadlock updates in 2025, prioritizing fewer, more substantial patches over the frequent releases of 2024. This decision, communicated via the official Deadlock Discord, stems from challenges in maintaining the previous two-week update cycle. While potentially disappointing to some players, this shift promises larger, more impactful updates akin to major events.

Deadlock, Valve's free-to-play MOBA, launched on Steam earlier in 2024 after initial gameplay leaks. The game quickly established itself within the competitive hero-shooter landscape, even standing out against the popular Marvel Rivals with its distinct steampunk aesthetic and polished gameplay. Throughout 2024, Deadlock received numerous updates, but Valve developer Yoshi explained the need for a revised approach. The current update frequency, while beneficial initially, hindered internal iteration and prevented sufficient time for external adjustments before subsequent updates.

The recent winter update, featuring unique gameplay alterations, offers a glimpse into future limited-time events and larger content drops. Yoshi confirmed that future major patches will abandon the fixed schedule, opting for a less frequent but more impactful release model. Hotfixes will still be deployed as needed. This approach suggests a greater focus on substantial content additions and in-game events rather than smaller, incremental changes.

Currently boasting 22 playable characters across various roles, complemented by an additional 8 heroes in Hero Labs mode, Deadlock has garnered significant attention. Its diverse roster, creative design, and innovative anti-cheat measures have all contributed to its success. While an official release date remains unannounced, Valve anticipates sharing further Deadlock news in 2025.