Behavior Interactive released Dead by Daylight 2v8 Mode as a limited-time event to gauge player interest and gather feedback for future versions. Interestingly, the game mode achieved something that players hadn’t been able to do in the eight years since the game’s launch: getting their friends to play.
Players on Dead in the delicate of day subreddit We discussed the last two events in the game at length and I was surprised to see so many of them talking about how 2v8 mode convinced their close friends and significant other to finally try the game they love so much. User Westagro put it best. “I finally got my friend to play it again and we played for about 4 hours (8 games played). We both hate playing Survivor so this is the best mod the game could possibly have, and I’m not even mad that killers don’t have extra blood points because it’s so much fun.”
Killers together forever
I also like Dstryl’s comment because it gives me hope that my wife will start playing Dead in the delicate of day with me one day: “Same here, this is the only way I can convince my girlfriend to play 2v8 dbd with me.” When you like something you want to share it with your close friends and partner, but that’s impossible if they can’t enjoy it because the game is designed to scare them.
Dead in the delicate of day isn’t your typical co-op experience. In fact, if you’re playing as the Killer, it’s more of a single-player game. However, there are four Survivors and one Killer in each Trial, so friends can play together if they create a Survivor lobby.
The problem is, Dead in the delicate of day is an intense, asymmetric horror game that is not simple on the nerves. You are constantly being chased, and the in-game music and Killer sounds are designed to make you panic and scream. This type of gameplay is simply not for everyone.
The 2v8 mode changes the game for two players, allowing them to team up as Killers, which isn’t scary at all. When you switch from hunter to hunter, the game becomes much more enjoyable for those who hate the fear of something or someone watching them and waiting in the bushes so they can pounce on them.
I’m sure Behavior Interactive anticipated this reaction to some extent, but the game still isn’t as co-op-oriented as it could be. I think that’s intentional, though, as in-game voice chat and other quality-of-life improvements to co-op would have diluted the horror, and that’s what Dead in the delicate of day was and always should be.
