Try Before You Buy: Dead by Daylight’s New Character Trial System Revealed!

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In simpler terms, the popular asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight is conducting trials for Patch 8.5 before it goes live in the main game. This update significantly revamps the killer character Freddy Krueger and introduces the Character Trial System. This system might be modeled after a similar feature in the mobile version of Dead By Daylight, enabling players to experiment with paid characters and survivors for a brief period. This could motivate players to buy DLC characters once they’ve had a taste of how they function.

Who Are Dead By Daylight’s Paid DLC Characters?

Over the course of its existence, Dead By Daylight has rolled out several free and premium add-ons, often called Chapters. These add-ons encompass a variety of elements such as killers, survivors, aesthetic items like skins, and more. As of January 2025, only the following killers and survivors can be obtained within Dead by Daylight exclusively through paid DLC:

  • All Dead by Daylight officially licensed collaborations featuring both a killer and a survivor. These include Halloween, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Saw, Stranger Things, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, The Ring, Alien, Dungeons and Dragons, and Castlevania.
  • Some of Dead by Daylight’s previous original DLC characters have been bundled into packs – the Macabre Tales, Old Wounds, and Maddening Darkness packs. Whether these characters are included or must be purchased separately may depend on the version of the game.
  • Stand-alone DLC Killers: The Ghost Face, The Cenobite (Pinhead), The Good Guy (Chucky), The Cannibal (Leatherface)
  • Stand-alone DLC Survivors: Ash Williams, Nicolas Cage, Alan Wake, Lara Croft

Character Trials Will Let Players Briefly Experience These Characters For Free

During Character Testing sessions, gamers can temporarily use various killers and survivors. This offers players an opportunity to learn the playstyle of these characters, experiment with different abilities and equipment combinations, and eventually decide if they want to buy them permanently. The duration of each testing period and how frequently they happen is yet to be announced.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice the intriguing similarity between the trial feature in Dead by Daylight Mobile, where players get a 24-hour taste of characters they’ve unlocked, and the potential implementation in the main game. However, extending the character trials beyond a day seems more beneficial for all players. A brief 24-hour window might lead to server congestion, denying many enthusiasts like myself an opportunity to test out these new characters.

Which Characters Will Feature In Trials First?

The pre-release version of the game showcases the upcoming DLC characters: The Nightmare (also known as Freddy Krueger) and his survivor, Quentin Smith. Given that Freddy’s playstyle is undergoing significant changes, it’s logical to expect them first. However, speculation arises about which characters might be available for a free trial next.

Generally speaking, it’s more feasible to include the basic killers and survivors from “Dead by Daylight” in free trials because there are no complications related to rights or licensing. Newly introduced DLC characters such as The Unknown and The Houndmaster might be included to boost excitement for them since they are fresh additions to the game, and Behaviour Interactive may aim to generate more interest around them.

It’s being whispered that the next instalment of “Dead by Daylight” might introduce a Resident Evil-themed 2v8 mode, potentially offering characters like Albert Wesker and the Nemesis for a free trial. Alternatively, with Dungeons and Dragons marking its 50th anniversary in 2025, we could see a character from that series, perhaps The Lich (Vecna), available for a free tryout. Lastly, anticipated DLC characters, such as the much-anticipated Five Nights at Freddy’s character, may offer free trials shortly after their debut to spur players into buying them promptly.

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2025-01-15 22:33