Deadlock's 2025 Update Schedule: Fewer, Bigger Patches
Valve has announced a shift in its update strategy for Deadlock in 2025, prioritizing larger, less frequent patches over the consistent bi-weekly updates of 2024. This decision, communicated via the official Deadlock Discord, aims to streamline the development process and allow more thorough testing and implementation of significant changes.
While this news may disappoint players accustomed to the regular content drops, Valve assures that future updates will be more substantial, akin to major events rather than minor tweaks. The recent winter update, featuring unique gameplay alterations, serves as a preview of this approach. This change addresses internal development challenges stemming from the previous two-week update cycle, which sometimes hindered iterative improvements and prevented sufficient time for external feedback before subsequent updates.
Deadlock, Valve's free-to-play MOBA, launched on Steam earlier in 2024 after initial gameplay leaks. It has quickly gained traction in the competitive hero-shooter market, even alongside the popular Marvel Rivals, thanks to its polished steampunk aesthetic and diverse roster of 22 playable characters, expandable to 30 with Hero Labs. The game's unique anti-cheat measures have also contributed to its positive reception.
The shift to a less frequent update schedule doesn't signal a slowdown in development. Valve developer Yoshi confirmed that major patches will be larger and more impactful, with hotfixes still deployed as needed. The expectation is for continued limited-time events and special game modes, maintaining the engaging live-service experience. While a firm release date remains unannounced, further Deadlock news is anticipated in 2025.
Key takeaways:
- Reduced Update Frequency: Deadlock updates will be less frequent in 2025.
- Larger Patch Sizes: Updates will be more substantial and event-driven.
- Continued Development: Limited-time events and hotfixes will persist.
- No Official Release Date: An official release date is yet to be confirmed.
