Deadlock player count decline suggests another game is the reason

Deadlock, Valve's secret MOBA shooter, has seen a constant decline in the player count on Steam lately. Despite being in an invite-only playtesting phase, the game showed promising results with hundreds of thousands of concurrent players at its peak. While technical shortcomings and the early development phase play a role, the huge rise of a particular game could be a significant factor behind the declining player base.

As players flock to a recent rising hero shooter game, Deadlock is under pressure to win back its audience.

Note: This article is subjective and based on the author's opinion.

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Is Marvel Rivals taking players away from Deadlock?

As mentioned by @IntelDeadlock on X, Valve's new shooter hit its lowest player count during the second week of December 2024. Interestingly, this period coincides with the explosive launch of Marvel Rivals which has gained over 20 million players within a month. Considering this, it indeed looks like Marvel Rivals is directly linked to the declining popularity of Valve's MOBA shooter game.

Marvel Rivals owes its success to several factors, including polished gameplay, good visual design, and an iconic roster of Marvel heroes. The game offers fast match queues and focuses heavily on casual play, both of which are in contrast with the current state of Valve's title.

The aggressive marketing campaigns featuring streamer collaborations and free skins have helped Marvel Rivals position itself as a more appealing choice.

Contrastingly, Deadlock's invite-only approach, lack of any promotions, and very limited content have contributed to the decline of the player base. With only one map and unfinished lore, Valve's game feels underwhelming next to NetEase's. Players are currently more attracted to the dynamic gameplay and free rewards offered by Marvel Rivals.

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How can Valve revive Deadlock in 2025?

Here are some ways Valve can probably revive their MOBA shooter in 2025:

• Expand Content Offerings: Introduction of new maps, game modes, and heroes to add variety. A consistent content roadmap can help to maintain excitement.
• Open access for all: Move the game out of the invite-only phase and launch an open beta version.
• Enhanced marketing efforts: Invest in collaborations and events.
• Cosmetics: Release tradable cosmetic items similar to other Valve titles such as Coutner-Strike and DOTA.

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