Behaviour Interactive is preparing a substantial overhaul to Dead by Daylight's matchmaking system that leadership describes as far more than cosmetic adjustments. The changes represent a fundamental shift in how the 10-year-old multiplayer horror game will function at its core.
Creative director Dave Richard and head of partnerships Mathieu Cote revealed the scope of the rework during a conversation at the Game Developers Conference 2026 this month. The pair emphasized that while the redesign is sweeping, it preserves elements that have proven successful since the game's launch.
"We're changing it in a very significant way," Richard said. "People that have been with us for a long time, for 10 years, will recognize some of the past matchmaking that we have, the best parts of it, and the parts that are functioning now about the matchmaking are still going to be there."
The new system aims to realign Dead by Daylight with what Behaviour sees as the game's true identity: a sandbox for emergent storytelling rather than a competitive ranking grind. The studio wants to reward moments of cooperation and risk-taking, even when those choices lead to a player's elimination.
"It's going to be a re-imagination of how the game is played that is more aligned with our values as a game, where it's a game about scenarios," Richard explained. "It's not about winning, it's about these experiences. We want to allow every player to have the choice to play the game as they want, and to evolve in that style of play, rather than encouraging one that is really competitive."
One specific problem the matchmaking rework targets is the current binary nature of matches. Richard notes the experience was never intended to feel so win-or-lose focused, and the new system should better account for players who prioritize dramatic or selfless moments over survival metrics.
Principles Over PointsCote clarified that reshaping matchmaking to reflect diverse playstyles poses genuine technical and design challenges. He noted that Dead by Daylight's end-of-match scoring has intentionally been "fake" because tallying points misses the entire purpose of the game.
"The point was to be thrown into chaos, make the best of it, live some really interesting moments and have things surprise you, things that had never happened before," Cote said. "But to have that, it means you have to have all of those, a world of possibilities that could happen, so that some of them would. And that is not conducive to extremely calibrated, competitive game play."
Behaviour promised the matchmaking update would arrive sometime after February 2026, though no firm release window has been announced. Cote suggested the studio will likely share additional details before year's end. Richard added that the project ranks among the developer's highest priorities.
The rework arrives as Dead by Daylight approaches its 10th anniversary in June, with the game currently running its All Kill: Comeback chapter. The matchmaking redesign represents Behaviour's commitment to preserving the survival horror experience that has kept players returning across a decade.
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