Deadlock PvE & Hero Remodels Coming NEXT WEEK?!

Summary of the video’s main points

• Possible timing for Deadlock’s next major update:

  • The creator suggests a major update could arrive as soon as next week, or at least very soon, based on recent leaks and new Valve hiring, implying parts of the update may already be prepared.
  • Two dates are highlighted as particularly plausible:
    • August 24: Valve’s 30th anniversary, occurring right after The International (Aug 20–23) in China. This implies Valve may avoid shipping the update during the esports-heavy week but could do something major immediately afterward.
    • October 8: tied to the end of a competitive season/beta phase, which would naturally coincide with larger changes (new season, new phase, or a step toward open release).

• Core content expectations for the update (the “framework”):

  1. PvE (strongly expected):

     • Multiple hints point toward PvE, including leaks attributed to Deadlock Project 8 and comparisons to Risk of Rain (citing Hopoo Games involvement).
     • PvE is framed as both a thematic fit (New York setting with unexplored areas) and an onboarding tool for new players.
     • The creator argues this PvE leak may help answer a previous “missing” piece from the earlier roadmap: the item update. The theory is that item changes/additions could be PvE-specific, such as new item types, including mentions of artifacts and legendary items.

  2. Hero remodels (likely the biggest non-PvE change):

     • Many heroes are suggested to be visually outdated (unchanged since older development eras), so the next update could include major art remodels.
     • The creator previously estimated 8–10 heroes, and now suggests it could be up to most of the cast (excluding perhaps the newest additions).
     • A key supporting factor: Valve hired/added a new character designer (SNZ), noted for holiday and hero remodel work (e.g., Yamato and Sinclair). This supports expectations of significant remodel output.
     • Beyond art, hero kits may also change, especially for older heroes whose abilities may no longer align with current design standards. Examples mentioned include Sinclair and Viper, suggesting possible ability/system overhauls.

  3. Massive art/environment changes:

     • Additional assets are expected for the Cursed Apple and the Hideout, consistent with PvE expansion and ongoing map evolution.
     • The creator expects new/updated rooms and more detail in the Hideout (including referenced leaked assets like a pool table/bar-type elements).
     • They also expect more changes to gameplay spaces over time—potentially including updates to mid boss and jungle camps (noting those have been static for a long time), while some elements like Sinners might remain unchanged.

• Other possibilities mentioned (not guaranteed):

  • Potential new heroes: currently 38 heroes, with speculation it may rise to ~40 by open beta/release steps—possibly via 1–2 additional heroes—though no concrete leaks were cited.
  • The creator briefly mentions other expansion categories that could be included (cosmetics, progression systems, “play of the game” features), but emphasizes they are less certain than PvE, remodels, and art/map work.

• Why this update could feel huge:

  • The speaker compares the potential scope to earlier transformative updates (specifically Old Gods New Blood in January), claiming it could feel like Deadlock 3.0 rather than a routine patch.

• Channel status / personal note:

  • The creator explains reduced output due to personal events (losses, moving, and channel changes) and says they plan to ramp up content again after this video.

Presenters / contributors mentioned

• Connor (video presenter)
• Valve (company; mentioned regarding anniversary and hiring)
• SNZ (character designer mentioned as collaborating with Valve)
• Hopoo Games (developer referenced via Risk of Rain connection)
• Deadlock Project 8 (source of PvE/item-related leak info)
• Yoshi (creator referenced for an earlier mini roadmap)
• Minesweeper (referred to via posts/leaks about Hideout assets)