Summer Game Fest 2025 is the perfect time for Deadlock to make a comeback

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Back in August 2024, Valve unveiled Deadlock to a storm of applause from both critics and gamers alike. However, despite the initial buzz, it seems that most players have moved on from this game. But let me assure you, this doesn’t mean Deadlock is a flop. Quite the contrary! It might just be that its time in the spotlight has passed for now.

Despite a current player base that’s much smaller than its peak of 171k, Deadlock continues to attract around 10,000 players daily on average. It’s certainly not dead, but the enthusiasm seems to have diminished. In the year 2025 alone, there have been three significant content updates, yet none have successfully rekindled player interest.

Although it may seem that Valve can continue developing the game for as long as they wish due to the enormous profits generated by Steam, it’s important to note that there is a time constraint in place, given that Deadlock has been publicly available for some time now.

Currently, it’s an optimal moment for Valve to reveal Deadlock publicly and release a substantial update aimed at regaining their fanbase’s interest. Summer Game Fest presents the largest platform for them to do so.

Deadlock can only be in testing for so long

In many games, significant content overhauls often bring players flocking back to explore fresh elements and content. Over the past six months, Deadlock hasn’t been an exception, rolling out numerous new characters, an entire fresh map, along with a multitude of other exciting additions.

On the other hand, two main challenges arise: The rapid pace of content updates is overwhelming, and returning players find it difficult to re-engage due to the competitive nature of the game. In fact, player numbers have been below 20,000 for several months now.

In late 2024, Deadlock deliberately slowed down the frequency of updates towards the end to prevent the game from constantly changing and providing a smoother, more predictable player experience. Unfortunately, the massive nature of these updates has made the game too complex for some players to approach easily.

This issue becomes even more challenging due to the high learning curve, or skill ceiling, associated with Deadlock in Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs). In comparison, DOTA 2 might appear relatively straightforward for beginners.

The difficulty of this problem is increased significantly because Deadlock, among MOBAs, has a steep learning curve, making it challenging even for skilled players (high skill ceiling), and potentially intimidating for newcomers (high skill floor). In contrast, DOTA 2 may seem less demanding to learn.

As a gamer, diving into this game feels like embarking on an epic quest filled with endless objectives scattered across the map. From mastering the myriad items to understanding the intricate lane mechanics, there’s a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Add to that the array of tools at my disposal – dashes, parries, melee attacks – and each character’s unique set of abilities and weapons, it’s clear that this game offers an endless list of challenges to conquer.

If you haven’t played Deadlock during its testing phase up until now, you might find it difficult or unenjoyable to start playing it now. In fact, the difficulty of getting into the game may even worsen as time goes on.

As an ardent fan, I firmly believe that Deadlock could really soar if Valve unveils an extraordinary new content reveal – something captivating enough to draw a tidal wave of fresh players, make the game accessible to all, and spark excitement in people who are eagerly waiting for a compelling reason to dive into the game for the very first time.

If they manage to attract a substantial number of new players, they could potentially re-engage former players, as if they were starting a completely new game. The game is now much more polished and complete compared to its previous state.

1) Textures have been added to characters, giving them a more realistic feel. The artistic direction has noticeably improved since the release of Deadlock. It’s about time Valve finds a way to monetize this game and releases it to the public.

If they persist in focusing on this game for an extended period and primarily catering to its small group of dedicated players, there’s a risk that Deadlock may not attract the kind of audience Valve desires. Regardless of how exceptional the game is, if potential players are deterred due to intimidation, it could hinder its reach.

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2025-06-04 00:49