Dead by Daylightis a very simple game at first glance. Horror movie monsters battle against human opponents is a great premise for a pick-up-and-play multiplayer game. Yet developer Behaviour Interactive has spent the years sinceDead by Daylight’s launch building it into something more. EachDead by DaylightTome is packed with lore, fleshing out the game’s Survivors into compelling characters. The latest character to receive such attention is David King, who is now confirmed to beDead by Daylight’s first gay character.
Behaviour Interactive put together a lengthy statement to theDead by Daylightcommunityacknowledging the importance of today’s statement. TheDead by Daylightdeveloper explains that LGBTQIA2+ players are a “cornerstone” of its community and that it was “integral” to ensure that the game’s cast of characters was “representative of our vast and diverse community.” ThatDead by Daylightlacked a confirmed LGBTIA2+ character until now has been something Behaviour was “determined to change.”
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With that in mind, Behaviour also explains that it did its due diligence to ensure that the direction of the company’s plans were done appropriately. GaymerX, a non-profit that does consulting and training regarding LGBT+ people and culture in video games, was brought in to share its experience with integrating LGBT+ themes into games and particularly for already established games. As a result, Behaviour says it feels “confident” in the direction ofDead by Daylightand its plans forDavid King.
All Behaviour has to say about David King at this point is whatDead by Daylightplayers likely already know. King has been a part ofDead by Daylightfor years now, going back to theA Lullaby for the Dark chapter. He’s one ofDead by Daylight’s 10 most popular Survivors. He also likes hats. As for any new revelations about David, outside of his newly confirmed sexuality,Dead by Daylightplayers will have to check out the upcoming Tome, Devotion.
Behaviourcloses out its statement by saying thank you to its LGBTQIA2+ community, as well as the largerDead by Daylightcommunity. It says that it appreciates hearing players' stories, as well as hearing what aboutDead by Daylightresonates.
While there’s some criticism aimed at Behaviour for taking so long to have an openlyLGBT+character in the game, with 57 Survivors and Killers currently available, it’s clear that the studio took this step forward quite seriously. It’s a decision to take that step forward versus continuing to not take that step. And judging from “David King” now trending on Twitter, it seems the news is being received byDead by Daylightplayers quite warmly.
Dead by Daylightis available now on PC, PS4, PS5 Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and mobile devices.
