Deadlock Changes from Four Lanes to Three in New Major Update

Deadlock is shaking things up with its biggest update in months—a complete overhaul of its map, reducing lanes from four to three. Read on to discover the details of this significant change and other improvements coming to Deadlock.

Deadlock Announces Major Update

From Four Lanes to Three: A Map Redesign

Deadlock's latest update dramatically simplifies its map, transitioning from a complex four-lane system to a more streamlined three-lane design. Announced on Steam on February 26, 2025, this rework encompasses far-reaching changes. Valve's post details adjustments to visuals, building layouts, pathways, neutral camps, air vents, breakables, power-up buffs, juke spots, the mid-boss, and more. While Deadlock's unique third-person perspective already sets it apart in the MOBA genre, the previous four-lane structure may have added unnecessary complexity.

This update also simplifies early-game farming. Players no longer need to last-hit enemies to summon Soul Orbs, making resource acquisition significantly easier in the laning phase. Further improvements include enhanced netcode and optimized client performance.

A Vital Update for Deadlock's Future

This substantial update could be the key to revitalizing Deadlock's player base. While the game reached an all-time peak of 171,490 players in September 2024, player numbers have since dropped by approximately 90%, with only around 17,000 players active last month.

Valve Developer Yoshi explained the shift in update frequency on Deadlock's Discord server in January 2025. The previous two-week update cycle proved too restrictive for implementing desired changes. Yoshi stated, "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."

Deadlock is currently in active development and playtesting, accessible via friend invite only. No official release date has been announced. For more information, visit our Deadlock page.