When it was released in 2016, Behaviour Interactive probably didn't know just how successful Dead by Daylight would become. With the recent release of the Sadako Rising chapter, much of its popularity can be attested to the fact that the studio has in its IP a breeding ground for the implementation of many classic horror game and movie villains. The fact that the title allows fans to take on the role of Silent Hill's Pyramid Head, Resident Evil's Nemesis, or even Freddy Krueger is one of the reasons why it's grown over the years. And now, it looks as though it's coming to tabletop.
According to a recent report from Dicebreaker, a company called Level 99 is adapting Dead by Daylight into a board game. A Kickstarter page has been announced which begins on March 29, and it looks as though the team plans to get the full game out some time this year, possibly October, which would make it ideal for Halloween.
As far as the adaptation itself goes, it will still follow the video game format of having four players against one killer. Each player will take their turn and will be tasked with drawing "movement cards." It seems as though Level 99 wants players to keep moving, which means that anyone who chooses to not run during their turn, won't be able to interact. Dice rolls will also determine the restarting of generators, with a roll of one being a fail. The developer also says that the survivors will "win or lose together," unlike in the main game. The only caveat is that the board game will not feature any of the licensed killers from Dead by Daylight.
It's quite surprising that an adaptation of the popular horror game hasn't come along sooner. Titles such as Runescape and Dark Souls have been given the board game treatment, with the former due to be released over the course of this year. The turn-based system that's described for Dead by Daylight does make it sound like it will fit well in the tabletop genre.
As for the video game that the adaptation is being based off, Dead by Daylight is still a popular choice among Twitch streamers, especially those who are more into horror. The hype around it has perhaps died down a little, but the fact that the studio is still putting out frequent content, and that there is a dedicated community of fans, shows that it's still likely to remain a big release for a good while.
Dead by Daylight is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Google Stadia, and Mobile.
Source: Dicebreaker, Kickstarter