A Stranger Things collaboration was not high on the list of things Dead by Daylight fans expected to see. Until the announcement of the television show’s trailer, only large-scale Hollywood movies had been added to the game. Stranger Things was different when compared to Halloween, Saw, or A Nightmare on Elm Street. Despite being different, the Stranger Things collaboration is still well-loved by fans of both series.
Stranger Things Collaboration: An Instant Success
The announcement of Dead by Daylight’s collaboration caused an instant buzz. This would be the first time BHVR Interactive collaborated with Netflix. Stranger Things was also the first television show represented in Dead by Daylight. For the first time, two survivors were offered in the DLC instead of one with players being able to play as Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington. Those who played killer would be able to shred survivors as the Demogorgon.
Dead by Daylight announced the collaboration on Twitch with a stream titled ‘¿?.’ After a countdown, the trailer for Stranger Things played revealing the details and release date. To say fans were excited is an understatement.
Losing Stranger Things
In 2021, Dead by Daylight announced the Stranger Things collaboration was exiting the Fog. Questions arose as to why the game was losing this property. Did Netflix realize Stranger Things was a more lucrative property than originally thought? Would Netflix try to release its own Stranger Things video game?
Most likely Netflix decided against renewing its relationship with BHVR at the time. Given how developers announced the decision as well as placed the DLC and costumes at a 50% discount from August 16th to September 1, 2021, DBD devs must have known this for some time. The decision was just made not to fight to keep the trio in Dead by Daylight. On November 17th, 2021, the three, while still playable, were no longer available for purchase.
Fans expressed disappointment and hoped the two companies would renew their collaboration sometime soon. In the next two years, the news of Stranger Things‘ imminent return would come and go. Youtubers and article writers would surmise the pack would return and bring new characters with them.
Every November 6th is “Stranger Things Day” with Netflix. The company streams the seasons and at the end presents news of upcoming seasons, merchandise, and the like. In 2022, rumors began spreading of Netflix being involved in games once again. Would Nancy, Steve, and Demogorgon be coming back? No, Netflix announced a VR and Match-3 game. Fans were disappointed.
Stranger Things Returns and Fans Want More
Netflix must have listened to the fans as “Stranger Things Day” 2023 announced the return of the popular DLC. In January 2024, Nancy, Steve, and Demogorgon were once again in Dead by Daylight. It currently sits in the top 10 best-selling DLC for the game on Steam.
This has left fans with one question. Will there be more collaborations between Netflix and Dead by Daylight? It certainly would not be out of the question as Capcom’s Resident Evil series is represented twice. Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Ada Wong, and Rebecca Chambers are all survivors with Nemesis and Albert Wesker as killers.
Many had their hopes up when rumors of Vecna coming to Dead by Daylight. Fans immediately thought of Henry Creel and a second collaboration with Stranger Things. Instead, fans were greeted by Vecna from Dungeons and Dragons. Fans were disappointed with some referring to the new killer as a “boring” choice. Some feared the inclusion of the Dungeons and Dragons lich would mean never seeing Creel in Dead by Daylight.
Fans are forgetting a few things. Dungeons and Dragons is a big part of Stranger Things‘ story. The teens are fans of the game. As such, they gave Creel the moniker “Vecna.” He is referred to by his name or “One” officially. Both characters are different characters from different universes. Each Vecna has different powers. Having Creel in Dead by Daylight would be different than having two Bubbas or Amanda Youngs. Just because DnD’s Vecna has a home in Dead by Daylight does not mean Henry Creel will never appear.
All this proves is Stranger Things is one of the best collaborations Dead by Daylight ever did, so much to the point that fans are continually asking for more content. It would seem wise for Dead By Daylight and Netflix to bring more members of the show to the Fog. The Entity is always looking for more victims and fans are looking for another Stranger Things collaboration.
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