Valve Delays Deadlock Updates

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 updates over the consistent bi-weekly releases 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 might disappoint players accustomed to the constant influx of updates, Valve assures that future patches will be more substantial and event-driven. The recent winter update, featuring unique gameplay alterations, serves as a preview of this new approach. Expect less frequent, but more impactful updates throughout 2025.

Deadlock, a free-to-play, third-person hero shooter, has quickly gained traction since its early 2024 Steam release, despite facing competition from titles like Marvel Rivals. Its distinctive steampunk aesthetic and polished gameplay have contributed to its success. The game currently boasts 22 playable characters, further expanded with 8 additional heroes in Hero Labs mode. Its innovative anti-cheat mechanisms have also garnered praise.

Valve developer Yoshi explained the change in update frequency, citing challenges in iterating on changes within the previous two-week cycle. The new schedule will focus on larger patches released on a less rigid timeline, supplemented by hotfixes as needed. While a firm release date remains unannounced, 2025 promises more substantial content drops for Deadlock. The expectation is that limited-time events and special game modes will continue to be a feature of Deadlock's ongoing development.

Key Takeaways:

• Reduced Update Frequency: Deadlock updates will be less frequent in 2025.
• Larger Patch Sizes: Updates will be more substantial and impactful.
• Event-Driven Updates: Expect larger updates to function more like events.
• No Official Release Date: A release date for the full game is yet to be announced.