Valve's invite-only MOBA, Deadlock, has received a substantial update dubbed 'City Never Sleeps,' which introduces a dramatically re-skinned map and six new playable heroes. This overhaul marks a significant step in the game's development, aiming to give it a more distinct visual identity.
The game's central battleground has been transformed into three themed zones: a vibrant city center, a haunted university, and a shadowy stock exchange. Each area features redesigned buildings and creeps, with unsettling additions like pickle jars with growing hands, sentient book stacks, and slimy trashbag monsters. The map is further divided into four distinct districts, including a Chinatown area featuring a bell tower where teams can contest a fountain of souls for a strategic advantage. Even interactable elements like wooden crates now appear padlocked.
Alongside the environmental changes, the update introduces six new heroes, who will be released gradually. The selection process will involve a player voting system, similar to previous hero additions. Among the announced heroes is the 'Rat King,' a character who originated as a fan concept a year prior and gained significant community traction. Other additions include a nurse character wielding a syringe like a weapon, a chess master reminiscent of Overwatch's Zenyatta, a skeleton with a rocket launcher, a witch, and an artist who uses a paintbrush as their weapon. Two heroes are slated for release each week, with the first batch arriving on Friday.
Beyond the visual and character updates, the 'City Never Sleeps' patch brings numerous gameplay adjustments. Player health bars are now more prominent, and indicators have been added to show nearby teammates' locations. The kill feed has been clarified for better readability, and the in-game shop interface is reportedly more intuitive with new filtering options. Players also have access to enhanced ping systems for map communication and a broader range of character voice lines, which can be previewed in a new menu. For those looking to improve their skills, new tools allow for bot practice, and combat details are more comprehensively broken down. The update also includes new accessibility options such as custom UI colors, subtitles, and automated movement, mantling, and shooting features.
Valve intends to keep some of the update's contents a secret for players to discover organically. Despite the extensive changes, Deadlock remains in invite-only access, leaving players to anticipate a broader public release.