Dead By Daylight Is More Violent Than Ever, And The Devs Told Me Why

Dead By Daylight Is More Violent Than Ever, And The Devs Told Me Why

With Dead by Daylight now entering its 10th year and boasting over 70 million players worldwide, it has solidified its place as one of the most successful live-service and horror games ever created. Over the years, the game has evolved significantly, and one of the most noticeable changes is its portrayal of violence. According to creative director Dave Richard, this evolution has been a deliberate choice by the development team.

"When we started Dead by Daylight, we wanted to be as accessible as possible," Richard explained. He referenced other horror games like Outlast, noting that while the team respects developers like Red Barrels, they aimed for a balance between fear and accessibility. "We wanted DBD to be scary and thrilling, but not so graphic that it turned people away."

However, as the popularity and acceptance of horror content have grown, the team has gradually increased the intensity of the game's violent elements. "With the horror renewal and people getting into [the genre more], they want more," Richard said. "They're not as sensitive to it than in previous years, and so I think it's part of our normal evolution that we get more gory, more violent."

This shift is particularly evident in the game's kill animations, known as "moris." Comparing early versions of these animations to the current ones, Richard emphasized how the game has become more intense over time. "You can see that in the moris, the moris is in the early days versus the moris today."

Richard noted that horror is now more interacted with and celebrated than it was 20 or even 10 years ago. As a horror fan himself, he finds this shift inspiring. "It's just awesome to see, and it's really, really inspiring."

The decision to increase the level of violence aligns well with Dead by Daylight's future. Recently, Behaviour has announced a number of changes to the game, including a collaboration with the Terrifier franchise, known for its unflinching portrayal of violence. These updates highlight the game's direction and its commitment to delivering a more intense horror experience.

What's Next for Dead by Daylight

The upcoming changes include new content, mechanics, and collaborations that will push the boundaries of what players expect from the game. While there may never be a Dead by Daylight 2, the team is focused on expanding and deepening the existing experience.

Fans can look forward to a variety of new features, including new characters, maps, and events. The collaboration with Terrifier is expected to bring even more graphic and intense kill animations to the game, further emphasizing the increased level of violence that the developers have embraced.

The evolution of Dead by Daylight's violence is a reflection of broader trends in the gaming industry and the growing acceptance of horror content. As the game continues to evolve, it remains a testament to the team's commitment to pushing the envelope in the horror genre.