Valve Delays Deadlock Overhauls

Deadlock Update Schedule Shifting in 2025

Valve has announced a change to its Deadlock update strategy for 2025, prioritizing larger, less frequent patches over the consistent bi-weekly updates of 2024. This decision, communicated via the official Deadlock Discord, stems from challenges in maintaining the previous update cadence. While potentially disappointing to some players, this shift promises more substantial updates with a greater impact.

Deadlock, Valve's free-to-play MOBA/hero shooter, launched on Steam earlier in 2024 after initial leaks. It quickly gained traction in a competitive market, distinguishing itself with its steampunk aesthetic and polished gameplay, even competing with titles like Marvel Rivals. The game has undergone significant evolution throughout 2024, but Valve aims to refine its development process by adjusting the update frequency.

According to PCGamesN, Valve developer Yoshi explained the rationale behind the change: the previous two-week cycle hindered internal iteration and sometimes didn't allow sufficient time for changes to settle before the next update. This revised approach will see major patches released less frequently but with greater scope and impact, resembling event-style releases rather than small hotfixes. Hotfixes will still be deployed as needed.

The recent winter update showcased this new direction, offering a significant departure from the year's balance-focused updates. This suggests a future with more limited-time events and special game modes. Yoshi confirmed that future major patches will not adhere to a fixed schedule.

Deadlock currently boasts 22 playable characters, further augmented by eight additional heroes in its Hero Labs mode. The game's unique anti-cheat measures and diverse character roster have contributed to its success. While an official release date remains unannounced, further news and updates are anticipated in 2025.