Dead by Daylight at 10: Behavior Interactive Rules Out a Sequel

Dead by Daylight is officially ten years old. A full decade of high-stakes, asymmetric horror has passed since the team at Behavior Interactive first launched the title in 2016. What began with modest expectations—the developers were told they would sell roughly 300,000 copies lifetime, a goal they hit in the first week—has blossomed into what Dave Richard, the game's senior creative director, calls the highest-selling horror product of all time.

Reflecting on the milestone, Richard noted that the game's evolution has been driven by a community that has exceeded all initial hopes. “We didn't have any grand ambitions; minimally, we wanted to create a game that people would love to play, and we wanted to break even,” Richard said. Today, the game stands as a pillar of the genre, having outlasted several competitors in the space.

No Plans for a Sequel

With the ten-year mark reached, questions regarding the future of the franchise have naturally surfaced. Richard was clear on the prospect of a potential sequel: it is not happening. “There will be no DbD 2,” he explained. “For us, it would mean leaving too much behind—asking our players to leave thousands of hours, money, emotional investment—and we simply don't want that.” Instead, the studio plans to continue building upon the existing foundation, keeping the game fresh with new modes and content.

Community-Driven Content

The roadmap for the coming years remains heavily influenced by player feedback. Richard highlighted the upcoming Mall map as a direct result of community requests. By tracking player interest through regular surveys, the team also decided to lean into the aesthetic of liminal spaces for that environment.

This philosophy extends to the game's famous collaborations. While the title has hosted horror icons like Ghostface, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Myers, the roster continues to expand. Art the Clown from Terrifier is confirmed to join the fray later this year. When asked about his personal wishlist, Richard mentioned that Pennywise has a "standing invitation," and he personally hopes to see iconic horror figures like Cujo or Christine make an appearance in the future.

The Role of Streamers

Richard attributes much of the game’s enduring success to the streaming community. “Simply put, without these streamers who have been playing DbD since day one, we would not be where we are today,” he said. The game's ability to act as an "infinite generator of chaotic moments" has provided it with a level of watchability that has kept it relevant for a decade. As for new players intimidated by the 10-year gap, Richard’s advice is simple: "Just dive in. Have fun. At its core, DbD is about the chase and the thrill of the chase."