The crossover between Five Nights at Freddy's and Dead by Daylight allows players to play as Springtrap for the first time.
Five Nights at Freddy's will finally join Dead by Daylight. We had the opportunity to talk with Behaviour Interactive about how this collaboration came to be.
The iconic asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight, developed by Behaviour Interactive, has successfully brought together characters from various horror franchises, such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Resident Evil. Now, the celebrated saga Five Nights at Freddy's joins this varied repertoire, a major announcement eagerly awaited by horror fans. Although it was already anticipated last year, the incorporation of Five Nights at Freddy's will be officially announced at the upcoming PAX East 2025 event.
In a recent conversation with the Dead by Daylight team, the creative process behind this collaboration was discussed, as well as what is being prepared for the future of the game. Mathieu Corte, the head of partnerships, emphasized that it has always been a good time to collaborate with Five Nights at Freddy's, stating that while licensing discussions can be complicated, they ultimately found the perfect opportunity to make this union.
Within this collaboration, it was announced that Springtrap, one of the most iconic characters from the franchise, will join the game as a playable Killer. Although the choice may be surprising, given that there are other iconic characters like Freddy, gameplay designer Jason Guzzo argued that Springtrap is the main villain of the Five Nights at Freddy's universe. His inclusion will mark the first time that players will be able to take control of him in a video game.
The challenge for the team was to create a Five Nights at Freddy's experience that was true to the essence of Dead by Daylight, considering the differences in gameplay between the two games. This will be reflected in the new map, Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, which will be the central setting for the FNAF saga. Guzzo mentioned that they drew inspiration from various sources, including movies and fan designs, as well as the recent 2023 film, which offered a complete version of the map.
Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza turned out to be an ideal environment for the game due to its tables, tight spaces, and the natural loops found in a kitchen. Guzzo commented on how this type of setting is similar to children's games where players run between tables and chairs in a restaurant. Although many details were not disclosed, the creators promised that the map will be filled with Easter eggs for fans to discover.
Moreover, fans of the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie will be excited to know that Matthew Lillard will reprise his role as Afton, which will be represented through a legendary outfit in the game. His likeness and the outfit of the Yellow Rabbit he wore at the end of the movie will be available in this update, and Lillard has also recorded his voice to provide an authentic experience.
Looking ahead, the Dead by Daylight team plans to develop a chapter inspired by folklore once the FNAF content is launched. Subsequently, they will embark on a "Choose Your Own Chapter Adventure" to conclude their tenth year. This concept will take inspiration from the famous “Choose Your Own Adventure” books that were popular from 1979 to 1998. With the help of the community, a Killer and a Survivor will be created through a series of questions about each character's traits.
Corte acknowledged that this project is ambitious, but he is confident it will be a fun and lengthy process, likening it to the team’s usual creative approaches. With all these exciting initiatives, Dead by Daylight seems to be in a very healthy creative place, offering numerous reasons for players to engage with the game.