Summary
- Valve will slow down Deadlock updates in 2025, focusing on bigger and less frequent patches.
- The game's winter update brought unique changes to Deadlock, hinting at future limited-time events.
- An official release date has not yet been confirmed.
Valve, the renowned game developer, has announced plans to adjust the update schedule for its free-to-play MOBA, Deadlock, in 2025. After a year of consistent updates throughout 2024, Valve aims to shift towards delivering larger, more impactful patches at a reduced frequency. This change comes as the company seeks to enhance its development process, which has been challenged by the current rapid update cycle.
Deadlock, which was initially released on Steam in early 2024 following a gameplay leak, has quickly established itself within the competitive hero-shooter genre. It distinguishes itself with a unique steampunk-adjacent aesthetic and Valve's signature polish. Despite facing competition from titles like Marvel Rivals, Deadlock has continued to evolve significantly over the past year.
According to a statement from Valve developer Yoshi, shared on the official Deadlock Discord, the decision to slow down updates stems from the limitations of the existing two-week cycle. "As we start 2025, we are going to be adjusting our update schedule to help improve our development process," Yoshi explained. "While it was very helpful for us in the beginning, we’ve found that our fixed two-week cycle has made it more difficult for us to iterate on certain types of changes internally, as well as sometimes not giving enough time for the changes themselves to settle externally before the next update came around." This shift will result in larger updates that feel more like events rather than minor hotfixes.
The recent winter update for Deadlock introduced unique changes, suggesting that players can expect more limited-time events and special modes in the future. "Going forward, major patches will no longer be on a fixed schedule," Yoshi added. "These patches will be larger than before, albeit a little bit more spaced out, and hotfixes will continue to be released as needed. We look forward to fleshing out the game in the new year."
Currently, Deadlock offers 22 diverse characters, from slow-moving tanks to agile flankers, available in standard game modes. Additionally, players can experiment with eight more heroes in the Hero Labs mode. Despite not having an official release date yet, Deadlock has garnered attention for its character variety, creativity, and innovative approach to dealing with cheaters. Fans can anticipate further developments and news about Deadlock throughout 2025.
