"Deadlock: Major Update Reduces Lanes from Four to Three"

Deadlock has unveiled its most significant update in months, transforming its map from four lanes to three. Dive into the details of the upcoming changes and catch up with Deadlock's latest updates.

Deadlock Announced Major Update In Months

Four-lane Map Becomes Three Lanes

Deadlock's latest major update simplifies its map structure by reducing the lanes from four to three. Valve shared the full details of this map rework and other mechanic adjustments on Steam on February 26, 2025. According to their post, this redesign encompasses a wide range of map-wide changes, including visuals, building layouts, pathways, neutral camps, air vents, breakables, powerup buffs, juke spots, and the mid boss. While Deadlock already distinguishes itself in the MOBA genre with its third-person perspective, the addition of a fourth lane to a traditionally three-lane map had previously added complexity.

Furthermore, the update introduces changes to farming mechanics. Players no longer need to last-hit enemy troopers to summon Soul Orbs, making early laning phases more accessible. The patch notes also mention enhancements to the game’s netcode and client performance.

Vital Update for Deadlock

This update could be the spark needed to re-energize Deadlock's community. The game experienced a significant surge in its active player count in September 2024, hitting an all-time peak of 171,490 players. However, since then, there has been a 90% decline, with only about 17,000 players active this past month.

In January 2025, Valve Developer Yoshi shared on Deadlock’s Discord server that the development team would shift from their previous two-week update cycle. Yoshi explained, "Going forward, major patches will no longer be on a fixed schedule. These patches will be larger than before, albeit a little bit more spaced out, and hotfixes will continue to be released as needed. We look forward to fleshing out the game in the new year."

Currently, Deadlock is in active development and playtesting, accessible only through friend invites. No official release date has been announced yet. For more information about the game, check out our Deadlock page.