What do Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Resident Evil, and Dungeons & Dragons have in common? They are all part of Behavior Interactive’s horror game, dead by Daylight. Now, another popular franchise is joining this mix: Five Nights at Freddy’s. This addition is notable for many horror fans.
The proclamation of Five Nights at Freddy’s joining Dead by Daylight was teased last year. Ahead of its official reveal at PAX East 2025, the Dead by Daylight team shared insights about integrating this franchise into their multiplayer game and what players can expect moving forward.
A New Collaboration
At first glance, the partnership seems like a perfect fit. Mathieu Corte, head of partnerships at Behaviour Interactive, stated that there is never a bad time to collaborate with Five Nights at Freddy’s. He mentioned that discussions around licensing can be tricky but expressed excitement about finding the right moment to bring this franchise into Dead by Daylight.
As part of this collaboration, Springtrap will be introduced as a playable Killer in the game. This choice surprised some fans since other well-known characters could have been selected instead. Jason guzzo,a gameplay designer on the team,explained that Springtrap is an iconic figure from the Five Nights universe and noted that players will experience him for the first time as a playable character in any video game.Guzzo emphasized that including Springtrap would provide players with an authentic FNAF experience while remaining true to Dead by Daylight's style. However, merging these two different gameplay styles posed challenges for the development team.
The Setting: Freddy Fazbear's Pizza
The new map based on Freddy Fazbear's Pizza serves as a central location from FNAF lore. Guzzo mentioned they drew inspiration from various sources such as games and fan-made layouts using screenshots from previous titles. They also looked closely at how this location was portrayed in recent films because it offered a complete view of what could be included in-game.Freddy fazbear's Pizza naturally fits within Dead by Daylight due to its layout filled with tables and tight spaces—ideal for intense gameplay moments typical of both franchises. Guzzo likened it to childhood experiences running around fast-food restaurants were kids hide behind furniture during playtime; he suggested adding weapons transforms those innocent games into something more thrilling yet familiar.
While details remain under wraps regarding specific features or surprises within the new map itself—known as Easter Eggs—the developers assured fans there would be plenty to discover upon release.
Additionally, Matthew Lillard will reprise his role as Afton through special outfits available in-game based on his character from recent films; he even recorded voice lines specifically for this update! Players can expect various skins for Springtrap too though specifics are still unknown.
Future Plans for Dead by Daylight
Beyond introducing content related to Five Nights at Freddy’s , Behaviour Interactive has plans lined up after its release—a folklore-inspired chapter awaits players next! Following that project comes an exciting “Choose Your Own Chapter Adventure” concept designed collaboratively with community input throughout year ten celebrations!
This idea draws inspiration from classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books popular between 1979-1998 where readers made choices affecting story outcomes directly influencing character creation processes involving both killers & Survivors alike!
Corte acknowledged how aspiring these plans sound but reassured everyone they’ll follow established creative methods already familiarized over years spent developing engaging content together alongside dedicated player communities eager participation ensures fun experiences ahead!
With everything planned out—from collaborations featuring beloved franchises like FNAF—to innovative storytelling approaches involving community engagement—it appears clear why returning back into world filled suspenseful thrills remains enticing option worth exploring soon enough!
