Finally! Dead by Daylight’s New “Play As You Wait” Feature Revolutionizes Matchmaking

In a move that has been requested by the community for years, Behaviour Interactive has finally delivered a game-changing feature to Dead by Daylight. As part of a larger update focused on the return of the 2v8 limited-time mode, the developers have introduced “Play As You Wait,” a permanent quality-of-life feature that allows Killer players to enter a Survivor match while they are in the matchmaking queue. This highly anticipated innovation, announced during a recent dev livestream, is a massive win for the game’s community and a direct response to the perennial issue of long queue times for Killer players. This is a significant moment for the horror gaming icon and a testament to the developers’ commitment to improving the player experience. The new feature, which will go live on August 19th, is a masterstroke in player retention and a perfect example of how listening to community feedback can lead to truly impactful changes in a live-service game.

Play As You Wait: How It Works and Why It’s a Game-Changer

The “Play As You Wait” feature is a brilliant solution to a long-standing problem in asymmetrical multiplayer games: the disparity in queue times between different roles. Killer queues in Dead by Daylight have historically been much longer than Survivor queues, as there are fewer Killers needed per match. This has led to frustration and a drop in player engagement, especially for those who prefer to play as the Killer. The new feature addresses this head-on by allowing Killer players to seamlessly transition into a Survivor match while they wait. Here’s a closer look at the key details:

• A Seamless Transition: When a Killer player starts matchmaking, they will have the option to enter a Survivor match. Once a Killer match is found, they will receive a prompt to either accept the new match or finish the current Survivor game. This gives players a choice and ensures that they are not abruptly pulled out of a game in progress.
• Bonus Bloodpoints: While playing as a Survivor, Killer players will still be earning Bloodpoints, and any active Bloodpoint bonuses from their Killer session will be in effect. This gives players a tangible reason to utilize the feature and makes the waiting time feel productive and rewarding.
• A Permanent Addition: This is not a limited-time event. The “Play As You Wait” feature will be a permanent part of the game, a clear sign that Behaviour Interactive sees this as a fundamental improvement to the game’s core loop.

The new feature has been met with widespread acclaim from the community, with many players on social media and forums praising the developers for finally implementing such a necessary and obvious change. The “Play As You Wait” feature is a clear sign that Behaviour Interactive is committed to the long-term health of the game and is willing to invest in features that directly address player pain points.

More Than Just a Feature: The 2v8 Update and What Else is Coming

While “Play As You Wait” is the headline-grabber, it’s just one part of a larger update coming to Dead by Daylight. The update, which is centered around the return of the popular 2v8 limited-time mode, is set to go live on August 19th. The mode will feature a number of gameplay updates and quality-of-life changes, as well as three new maps: Greenville Square, Shattered Square, and Treatment Theater. There are also a number of bug fixes and balance changes coming to the game in a new hotfix, including nerfs to the Fog Vial and The Legion. This new hotfix will also address issues with the new Survivors, Michonne and Rick Grimes, from the recent The Walking Dead chapter. The combination of these updates shows that Behaviour Interactive is not only focused on new content but also on refining the core experience and making the game more enjoyable for both new and returning players. As Dead by Daylight continues to grow and evolve, these kinds of community-requested features and quality-of-life improvements are what will keep the game a top-tier contender in the ever-expanding world of online gaming.