As I look back at the remarkable journey of Dead by Daylight over the past decade, it's clear that its collaborations have been a cornerstone of its longevity. Much like other live-service giants such as Fortnite, these strategic partnerships with established intellectual properties have proven just as vital as consistent post-launch updates. The recent and highly successful Alien chapter has inevitably sparked fervent discussion within our community: if the Xenomorph has arrived, can its iconic rival, the Predator, be far behind? While film and television crossovers hold immense untapped potential—from the jungles of Predator to the nightmarish streets of Derry from Stephen King's It—the undeniable triumphs of the Silent Hill and Resident Evil chapters have opened a thrilling new frontier. Shouldn't Behaviour Interactive double down on video game crossovers for future Chapters? The possibilities are as terrifying as they are exciting, and as a dedicated player, I believe several franchises stand out as perfect fits for the Dead by Daylight formula in 2026.

🔦 A Collaboration with the Dark Place: Alan Wake 2

One of the most timely and thematically resonant partnerships Dead by Daylight could pursue is with Remedy Entertainment's masterpiece, Alan Wake 2. Released in 2023 to critical acclaim, it solidified itself as a premier survival horror experience. Isn't the concept of a writer trapped in a dark dimension, fighting shadowy entities with light, a perfect match for the Entity's realm? The star of any such DLC would undoubtedly be the titular writer himself. Alan Wake would be a top-tier survivor, and his perks could creatively integrate his most iconic tool: light. Imagine a perk called "The Clicker" that significantly boosts the efficiency or blinding duration of all survivors' flashlights, or "Plot Armor" that grants a temporary endurance effect after completing a difficult skill check. For the killer, the choice is rich—from the primal terror of the Taken to the haunting figure of Scratch. A map set in the eerie, shifting forests of Cauldron Lake or the gloomy streets of Bright Falls would be an atmospheric triumph.

👨‍🔧 Engineering Terror in the Vacuum: Dead Space

Though the series' latest remake launched a few years ago, the visceral horror of Dead Space remains eternally relevant. The potential here is staggering. Who wouldn't want to step into the armored boots of engineer Isaac Clarke as a survivor? His perks could logically revolve around technical prowess and relentless survival:

• "RIG Diagnostics": Greatly increases repair speed on generators when working alone.

• "Plasma Cutter Precision": Successfully hitting a Great Skill Check on any action grants a small progression bonus.

• "Stomp": Allows the survivor to destroy breakable walls and pallets slightly faster, with a unique animation.

The real centerpiece, however, would be the map: the derelict mining ship USG Ishimura. Claustrophobic corridors, zero-gravity sections, and ambient screams would create unparalleled tension. Patrolling this map could be a Necromorph killer. The regenerating Hunter is a prime candidate for its relentless nature, but the divisive, blade-armed Divider or the terrifying speed of the Twitcher could also provide unique chase mechanics. This crossover feels like a match made in a blood-soaked heaven.

🎥 Through the Lens of Madness: Outlast

Outlast fundamentally changed first-person horror, and while the series has ventured into multiplayer with The Outlast Trials, a Dead by Daylight crossover could offer something uniquely disruptive. What if a killer from Mount Massive Asylum—like the grotesque Chris Walker or the unsettling Richard Trager—could alter the very perspective of the game? Their power, "Documented Fear," could force all survivors into a first-person view for a limited time. This would disorient even veteran players, making navigation and loop recognition intensely difficult. It could also serve as a fascinating test for a potential optional first-person mode for survivors in the future. The map could be the dilapidated administration block of the asylum, complete with flickering lights and distant, echoing laughter.

⛓️ A Dormant Nightmare Awakens: The Evil Within

This option may seem less likely given the franchise's quiet state, but isn't that all the more reason to revive it? With its clear inspiration, Resident Evil, receiving two lavish Chapters, it's only fitting that The Evil Within gets its moment in the spotlight. A collaboration could even reignite interest in a third game. The roster of killers is a horror fan's dream:

Killer Candidate	Power Concept	Map Potential
The Keeper (Safe-Head)	Places deadly bear traps and can teleport between them.	Beacon Mental Hospital
Anima (The Haunted)	Creates haunting illusions and can phase through walls.	Union's decaying streets
Laura (The Spider-Like)	Lays webs that slow survivors and can perform a lunging grab.	The eerie mansion

The survivor choice is simple: the hardened detective Sebastian Castellanos. His perks could focus on perseverance and revelation, such as "Veteran Instincts" that reveal the killer's aura when you're the last survivor alive.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the future for Dead by Daylight is blindingly bright. When even Hollywood icons like Nicolas Cage are drawn into the Fog, it proves the game's immense cultural pull. As a player, my hope is that this success fuels more ambitious partnerships, particularly with our medium's own rich history of horror. From the metallic halls of the Ishimura to the dark pages of Alan Wake's manuscript, the potential for unforgettable content through collaboration with other developers is limitless. The Entity's realm is ever-expanding, and I, for one, can't wait to see which nightmare we're thrown into next.