After a tantalizing tease earlier this week, Behaviour Interactive has officially announced an exciting collaboration between its popular horror game Dead by Daylight and AMC’s acclaimed series The Walking Dead. This highly anticipated chapter is set to launch for all players on July 29th, with early access available today in the Public Test Build (PTB).
The new chapter introduces beloved series protagonists Rick Grimes and Michonne as new Survivors. Fans will also be thrilled to see Daryl Dixon making an appearance as a Legendary Outfit for Rick, complete with original voice acting from series stars Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus.
Bringing Iconic Characters to Life
The Legendary Outfit for Rick is part of Dead by Daylight’s The Walking Dead Collection, which includes various alternate looks for Rick and Michonne. These include Uncommon recolors and outfits inspired by specific episodes of the series. Michonne’s designs draw from episodes such as “The Next World” and “What We Become”, while Rick’s outfits include “Last Day on Earth” and “Brutal Awakening”, the latter seemingly inspired by his awakening from a coma in the series’ first episode.
Alongside these characters, the game introduces six new character perks, emphasizing the teamwork that is a hallmark of The Walking Dead series. Rick’s perks include Apocalyptic Ingenuity, Come and Get Me!, and Teamwork: Toughen Up. Meanwhile, Michonne’s perks feature Conviction, Last Stand, and her version of Teamwork: Toughen Up. Both versions of the Teamwork perk focus on pallet stuns but offer unique advantages tailored to each character.
A New Map Tile and Narrative Integration
As part of this collaboration, players will encounter a new map tile in the Garden of Joy whenever Rick or Michonne enters the game. This tile, corrupted by The Entity, incorporates iconic elements from The Walking Dead series, such as the infamous hospital doors marked “don’t open, dead inside” and features from the prison setting.
The narrative of this chapter weaves seamlessly into the main plot of the TV series, specifically set before the events of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. It explores the aftermath of Rick’s presumed demise following a bridge explosion, a pivotal moment where Michonne and the group believe Rick has perished. Unknown to them, Rick survives but finds himself ensnared in The Fog, a mysterious realm within Dead by Daylight. Michonne, driven by hope and the sound of Rick’s voice, ventures into The Fog in search of answers.
Implications and Future Collaborations
This collaboration not only enriches the gaming experience for fans of both franchises but also highlights the growing trend of cross-media partnerships in the gaming industry. By integrating well-loved characters and storylines, Behaviour Interactive continues to expand the narrative depth and appeal of Dead by Daylight.
As the gaming community eagerly awaits the release, speculation abounds regarding future collaborations. The success of this chapter could pave the way for more iconic crossovers, potentially bringing other beloved characters and narratives into the fold.
Do you plan on exploring this Dead by Daylight and The Walking Dead collaboration? What other collaborations are you hoping to see in the future? Share your thoughts with us on social media platforms like Bluesky at @Marcdachamp or Instagram at @Dachampgaming!
