Ten years after its initial release, the asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight has achieved a new peak in concurrent players on Steam, reaching 125,820 active players recently. This surge in popularity is attributed to a series of ongoing support and updates from developer Behaviour Interactive, including a strong showcase of upcoming visual overhauls and the highly anticipated arrival of Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise.
The recent player count milestone, observed on SteamDB, shows a significant increase since April. With the summer holidays approaching and more content planned for the coming weeks, the game may see its concurrent player numbers continue to climb.
This record on Steam does not encompass all platforms where Dead by Daylight is available. The game is also playable on PC via the Epic Games Store and Microsoft apps, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, and the Nintendo Switch. A cross-platform infrastructure has been in place for years, allowing players across these systems to engage with each other.
Dead by Daylight's core gameplay loop involves players either attempting to survive as a victim against a killer controlled by another player or taking on the role of the killer. The objective for survivors is to evade capture and sacrifice, while the killer's goal is to hunt down and sacrifice the survivors to an entity described as "evil in its purest form." This blend of cooperative and player-versus-player horror has maintained its appeal, further bolstered by the inclusion of numerous killers and licensed horror characters.
Behaviour Interactive has expressed a commitment to continuing the expansion and refinement of Dead by Daylight rather than developing a direct sequel. The game's sustained and now growing player base suggests this approach is proving successful. In addition to in-game developments, a live-action Dead by Daylight film is also currently in development.