Dead by Daylight: Unleashing Horror’s Most Iconic Villains
Dead by Daylight, the popular multiplayer survival horror game, has become a hub for some of the most iconic villains in the horror genre. Inspired by the 80s golden age of slasher cinema, the game initially launched with a cast of original killers and survivors. However, as its popularity grew, developer Behaviour set out on an ambitious mission to bring together horror’s most famous villains under its umbrella. Similar to how Fortnite has become a platform for pop culture crossovers, Dead by Daylight aimed to be the go-to game for horror enthusiasts. Let’s dive into the challenges and journey behind some of the game’s most beloved crossovers.
In the Beginning: Paying Homage to the Classics
When Dead by Daylight was first developed, Behaviour didn’t start with recognizable horror characters. Instead, the studio created original killers and survivors that were designed to evoke the style of the iconic horror movies from the ’70s and ’80s. These characters were a hit with players, and as the game’s popularity grew, Behaviour started exploring collaborations with well-known horror franchises.
The first major collaboration was with Halloween, securing the rights to Michael Myers and Laurie Strode. This was a significant milestone for Behaviour and marked their entry into the licensing world. Collaborating with established horror franchises allowed Dead by Daylight to expand its roster of characters.
How Do You Follow Freddy Krueger and Leatherface?
After the success of incorporating Michael Myers, Behaviour didn’t stop there. The studio continued to add iconic characters from ’80s horror franchises like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Nightmare on Elm Street. One unexpected addition was Amanda Young, also known as “The Pig,” from the Saw films. While many fans expected Jigsaw to be the killer, Behaviour felt that Amanda’s sadistic nature made her a perfect fit for the game.
For each collaboration, Behaviour aimed to stay true to the source material while making sure the characters fit within the Dead by Daylight universe. Amanda’s inclusion allowed for unique gameplay mechanics tied to the Reverse Bear Trap, a signature element from the Saw franchise.
Scream If You Want to Die Faster
Securing the rights to Ghost Face from the Scream franchise presented a unique challenge for Behaviour. Despite owning the iconic mask, the movie studio didn’t hold the rights to the character, so the studio had to create an original killer to hide behind the mask. This led to the introduction of Danny Johnson, a freelance journalist, as the hidden killer behind Ghost Face.
Behaviour wanted to incorporate the humor characteristic of the Ghost Face character, which is evident in the ability add-ons and gameplay mechanics related to his camera and presence. Ghost Face’s ability to “lean” around corners adds an extra layer of fear and intensity to encounters with this killer.
From The Silver Screen to Silent Hill
Behaviour didn’t limit its collaborations to movies alone. In 2020, Dead by Daylight launched a full-blown collaboration with the survival horror video game Silent Hill. Alongside incorporating the killer Pyramid Head and survivor Cheryl Mason, Behaviour also added a special map based on the iconic location of Silent Hill.
The inclusion of the Silent Hill map was non-negotiable, as it was crucial to capture the essence of the franchise. Although the initial plan was to have a transforming map based on the game’s narrative, it wasn’t feasible due to technical limitations. However, the map still allows players to experience the duality of Silent Hill, with its normal and nightmarish versions coexisting side by side. Behaviour also added hidden gameplay elements that pay tribute to the transforming nature of Silent Hill.
Face Your Nemesis
Incorporating Nemesis from the Resident Evil franchise posed new challenges for Behaviour. As a deadly foe from a popular video game series, Nemesis required the development of new abilities and character models. Behaviour worked closely with Capcom to ensure accuracy in representing Nemesis and its abilities, even down to the color of the virus elements.
One notable omission from Nemesis’s arsenal in Dead by Daylight was its iconic rocket launcher. While there were discussions internally about including it, Behaviour ultimately prioritized staying true to the game’s mechanics and decided against including artillery.
Thinking Outside the Ring
Dead by Daylight’s popularity in Japan led to a collaboration with iconic J-Horror character Sadako from The Ring. While obtaining the rights to use Sadako wasn’t a challenge, incorporating her unique lore into the game presented new obstacles. In particular, the curse tied to her character, which kills victims seven days after they watch her cursed video tape, required creative solutions.
Behaviour experimented with various ideas, including shortening match durations and using notches to represent the curse. Ultimately, they tied the number seven to many of Sadako’s abilities, allowing players to experience her curse in different ways. Creating a new survivor presented its own challenge, as the only survivor from the movies was a child. To avoid involving child characters, Behaviour aged up the survivor, Yoichi Asakawa, while working closely with the license holder to ensure it aligned with The Ring’s official canon.
In Space No One Can Hear You Scream
The most recent collaboration in Dead by Daylight is with the Xenomorph from the Alien franchise. As one of the most ambitious collaborations to date, the Xenomorph incorporates advancements made in previous collaborations, such as dynamic level changes and larger killer models. For the first time, Behaviour created a four-legged killer, showcasing technical progress in character design.
One of the key features added for the Xenomorph is the ability to travel through unique tunnels, which have been incorporated into all maps. This was a challenging endeavor for Behaviour, as it required building tunnel systems across the game’s 36 maps. The tunnels provide players with a sense of being the predator and allow for strategic gameplay.
Looking Ahead to More Horror Collaborations
As Dead by Daylight continues to evolve, Behaviour is constantly seeking new collaborations to expand its roster of horror characters. While specific details are under wraps, the game’s success has opened doors to incorporate new properties and franchises that have emerged in the horror genre. Fans can expect further surprises and characters that stay true to their source material while adding fresh gameplay elements to Dead by Daylight.
With recent announcements of characters like Chucky from Child’s Play and the return of Stranger Things, speculation arises about potential additions like Pennywise from It or the sightless aliens from A Quiet Place. As Dead by Daylight remains the go-to game for horror enthusiasts, there’s no shortage of surprises in store.
Conclusion
Dead by Daylight has solidified its position as a platform for horror crossovers, offering fans the opportunity to experience their favorite horror icons in a unique multiplayer survival game. Behaviour’s commitment to staying true to the source material while incorporating fresh gameplay mechanics has been integral to the success of these collaborations. As the game continues to evolve, horror fans have a lot to look forward to, with new collaborations and characters on the horizon. So brace yourselves for more intense horror experiences in Dead by Daylight.