Dead by Daylight has just dropped Chapter 31: All Things Wicked, unveiling a fresh Survivor, Killer, and map for players to delve into. Unlike its usual jump-scares and intense chases, this new chapter takes a different turn, embracing analog horror to enhance the horror experience. Drawing inspiration from found-footage horror films and Stephen King's eerie town of Derry, Dead by Daylight aims to both terrify and captivate its players.

Behaviour Interactive sheds light on how the game's newest characters—The Unknown, Sable Ward, and Greenville Square—differ from the existing lineup of Killers, Survivors, and settings. In a recent interview with Game Rant, creative director Dave Richard and Killer designer Nicolas Barrière-Kucharski discuss their influences and visions for All Things Wicked.

Embracing Analog Horror in DbD Chapter 31

Analog horror is a sub-genre that focuses on the aesthetics of pre-digital media, gaining popularity in the digital age. Richard explains that at its core, analog horror thrives on misdirection and distortion. It includes works like Marble Hornets, Archive 81, and the iconic The Blair Witch Project, which use warped media to tell chilling stories.

These narratives challenge human comprehension, symbolizing how media struggles to capture eldritch threats fully. The Unknown, the new Killer, embodies this concept by inducing hallucinations that mislead players, creating an atmosphere where unseen dangers are more terrifying than revealed ones.

Immersive Horror with The Unknown

Analog horror builds tension gradually, eroding sanity in the face of the unknown. Barrière-Kucharski describes it as exploiting humanity's blind spots, where some truths remain elusive. The Unknown in Dead by Daylight manipulates this idea by spawning hallucinatory decoys across the map, challenging players' perceptions.

While most illusions are harmless, teleporting to one turns the distortion into a real threat. This dynamic gameplay encourages strategic play, with The Unknown able to trick Survivors by mimicking decoys. Barrière-Kucharski highlights the synergy with the Insidious Killer perk, enhancing the element of surprise.

Small-Town Chills in All Things Wicked

All Things Wicked unfolds in Greenville Square, a map inspired by classic small-town horror settings. Drawing from Stephen King's Derry, the map captures the essence of analog media, reminiscent of the late 80s and early 90s. The arcade and movie theater in Greenville Square evoke nostalgia while delivering a haunting experience.