Keeping a live-service game thriving for nearly a decade is no small task, but Dead by Daylight is on the cusp of doing just that. Launched in 2016, this asymmetrical horror multiplayer title has outlasted countless competitors, thanks in large part to Behaviour Interactive's relentless dedication. The studio has pumped out a steady stream of updates and DLC Chapters like clockwork, with new content dropping every few months to keep the fog fresh and the player base hooked. That constant influx of new killers, survivors, and maps has been the game's lifeblood, but it might also be brewing a slow-acting poison. There's a growing sense that the game's greatest strength—its expansive roster of iconic horror crossovers—could become its Achilles' heel, a problem that another titan of crossover gaming, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, knows all too well.

The Ghost of Smash Bros. Past

Let's rewind for a second. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's whole shtick was being the ultimate collection, cramming every single fighter from the series' history onto one roster. Right out of the gate, it boasted a whopping 82 playable characters. That's a lot of mouths to feed, and honestly, some fighters were bound to get lost in the shuffle, especially the more niche crossover picks. But the issue didn't stop there. The game kept on growing, adding another 12 fighters through post-launch DLC. While heavy-hitters like Sephiroth, Steve from Minecraft, and Sora were dream-come-true additions that stole the spotlight, others faded into the background. The result? A roster that's undeniably impressive but also feels a bit... stuffed. It's like a party that got too big; you've got a ton of guests, but half of them are just hanging out by the snack table, rarely getting a turn in the spotlight.

Dead by Daylight's Expanding Haunted House

Dead by Daylight has been playing the crossover game since almost the beginning, with Michael Myers from Halloween showing up in October 2016. Since then, snagging licenses from horror's greatest hits has become a core part of the game's identity. Lately, the crossovers have been absolutely killer—pun intended. The additions from Alien, Child's Play, and Alan Wake have brought fantastic new survivors, killers, and perks that have genuinely shaken up the meta. But here's the rub: the guest list is getting long. Real long.

As of 2026, the numbers tell a story:

Category	Crossover Count	Approx. Roster Percentage
Killers	12	Nearly 50%
Survivors	13	Nearly 50%

Yep, you read that right. Almost half of each roster is now made up of characters from other franchises. That's a whole lot of licensed talent to manage.

The Creeping Fog of Neglect

This is where the Smash Bros. comparison starts to feel a little too real. With so many crossover characters in the mix, some are inevitably starting to feel a bit left out in the cold. Take Freddy Krueger or Saw's Pig, for example. These were once terrifying additions, but nowadays, they're often cited as some of the least popular picks. Why? Well, they haven't received meaningful updates or balance changes in ages. They're like old toys in the attic—still there, but nobody really plays with them anymore. The game's meta evolves, new killers get flashy powers, and these older licensed characters can struggle to keep up.

And let's be real, balancing this circus is a nightmare for the developers. Every new killer or survivor added is another plate for Behaviour Interactive to spin. The more plates they add, the harder it is to keep them all spinning without one crashing down. The risk isn't just that some characters become unpopular; it's that they start to feel worthless. When a player unlocks a licensed killer they love, only to find they're underpowered and rarely played, that's a special kind of disappointment. It's like buying a ticket to see your favorite band, only for them to play off-key the whole time.

A Future in the Fog

So, what's the path forward? Dead by Daylight can't exactly stop doing crossovers—they're a huge part of the game's appeal and commercial success. But the team needs to be mindful of the bloat. Maybe it's time for a "Legacy Update" pass, giving some of those older, neglected licensed characters a fresh coat of paint and updated mechanics to make them competitive again. Perhaps more focus could be shifted towards original characters, whose design and balance are entirely in Behaviour's hands. Or, they could get real clever with how crossovers are integrated, maybe through limited-time modes or events that spotlight specific franchises.

The bottom line is this: Dead by Daylight's incredible eight-year run is a testament to great support. But to ensure it doesn't succumb to the same fate as other bloated rosters, it needs to start caring for all its guests, not just the new arrivals. After all, a haunted house is only fun if all the monsters get a chance to scare you.