Summary
A newDeadlockupdate rolled out on Thursday, September 12. This release introduces some pretty substantial changes toDeadlock, including always-on matchmaking.
Valve’s third-person MOBA entered invite-only testing in spring 2024.Deadlock’s matchmaking has so far been region-dependent, with the game only offering it during predetermined intervals. These windows of opportunity were 13 hours long between Monday to Thursday, while extending to 17 hours from Friday to Sunday.
Deadlock’s Mid-September 2024 Update Brings 24/7 Matchmaking
Valve has now done away with this restriction as part of the latestDeadlockupdate, which became available for download on September 12. Among many other things, this release debuts 24/7 matchmaking across all servers. The way the system itself works has also been changed, as Valve opted to expand it with a low-priority queue. According to the changelog attached to the patch, the main way to enter this disreputable queue is to engage in undesirable behaviors, most notably abandoning matches. Filing false reports against players is another confirmed way to temporarily end up in the low-priority queue, which will result in longer matchmaking times. Players will need to complete a set number of matches, which varies on a case-by-case basis, until they can return to the standard queue.
This particular novelty had already been teased in early September 2024, when one of Valve’s developers said the company wasplanning to completely rewrite theDeadlockmatchmaking system. And while that process appears to still be ongoing, the new update also introduced some other changes to the game’s matchmaking logic, like ensuring that new players who queue solo will only match with other newcomers until they get four wins. The patch also prevents parties of six from matching against solo players.
Many of these features appear to be inspired by the way matchmaking works inDota 2, another one of Valve’s titles whose development is helmed by themysterious game designer IceFrog. A new minimap is also part of the recently released update, featuring many updated icons and changing the orange lane to green. Ditto for an elaborate system that allowsDeadlockto track and temporarily prevent certain player behaviors, including voice and chat text, pausing, reporting, and matchmaking.
Another notable change concerns ability cancelation, which can no longer be done with the space bar. Cancelable abilities can instead now only be deactivated by pressing their hotkey again. Performance improvements and bug fixes are also incorporated in the update, together with a variety of UI tweaks. Based on Valve’s track record withDeadlockpatches, another major update for the game could arrive by October 2024.
General Changes
Scoreboard (TAB) and Extra Info (ALT) Changes
Previously there was a lot of crossover between the TAB and ALT modes during gameplay. In this update we have separated the behavior of these two modes to better serve different functions. The keys used for each of these modes can be swapped within Keybinds Settings.
Scoreboard (TAB)
Enables cursor mode
No longer enables cursor mode
Displays Scoreboard
Quick-upgrade Abilities (ie. ALT+1) each of these can be individually remapped
Displays Damage Summary
Can now more easily map ALT as an Alternate Cast button
Allows minimap ping and draw
Displays extra information on HUD (ie. Zipline Speed Boost Cooldown) - we plan to expand upon this in future updates
Deadlock
WHERE TO PLAY
Deadlock is an upcoming game from Valve which seemingly combines elements of the MOBA and hero shooter genres. As it is still in early development, gameplay and assets may be incomplete. Access is granted via friend invites.
