For those deeply invested in Valve’s unique blend of MOBA and shooter, Deadlock, the wait for substantial updates can feel like an eternity. While the game has carved out a dedicated following, its development cycle remains shrouded in the same enigmatic veil that often characterizes Valve projects.
The Long Wait is (Almost) Over
The community’s anticipation is palpable, fueled by every whisper and post from the developer-run Discord and forum accounts. The hope for new content keeps players glued to traffic spikes on the official website, dreaming of developers fueling their coding sessions with late-night snacks.
This week, all eyes were on Valve following the release of the “Old Gods, New Blood” update – a significant addition that brought six new heroes and substantial changes to the game. While this was a welcome injection of fresh content, players are now eagerly awaiting the next major update, which was previously hinted at as being in development alongside smaller tweaks to the ranked mode and item system. Now that “Old Gods, New Blood” is out of the way, expectations were high for another substantial release before the month’s end.
However, according to a recent communication, the next update is taking longer than initially anticipated. Yoshi, representing the development team, didn’t specify whether this delay affects the item update or the larger content patch, but implied that they might be combined into a single release. The new estimated timeframe points towards “late September.”
“The delay is mainly due to the regular process of playtesting and iteration sometimes taking longer than expected, rather than a change in the scope of the update itself,” Yoshi explained. “We hope you will like the update when it comes out, and we’ll make sure to give you a heads up (or order a ton of pizza) when things are a few days away or so.”
While Deadlock has remained an invite-only experience since its debut, recent updates have brought it closer to a state where it could potentially transition into an open beta. However, given Valve’s history of projects that were started with great fanfare only to be quietly shelved, the future remains uncertain. The “Old Gods, New Blood” update marked a significant shift in how Valve approached new patches, creating dedicated online spaces and generating considerable excitement around the release of new heroes. This level of engagement suggested a strong commitment to Deadlock as a key project within the studio.
Since then, updates have maintained a steady pace, keeping the community engaged and hopeful for what’s next. The promise of a “ton of pizza” might seem like a lighthearted gesture, but it also serves as a reminder that the development team is listening to its players and committed to delivering a quality experience.
Source: PC Gamer
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