DBD: Game Health Over Content

In a shocking turn of events, BHVR announced that they would be prioritizing their “Quality of Life Initiative” over a few releases.

This means Chapters, Rifts, Collections, Events Modifiers, etc. have been delayed.

We don't know the full scope of this, but BHVR have informed us that the Chapter has been delayed by 3 weeks and its PTB will start on March 11th instead.

No doubt this has sorely impacted BHVR’s pockets, with several of its licensed contracts likely requiring compensation for failing to hit release windows.

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QOL Initiative: Phase One

April — June

NEW: The Surrender State

The Surrender State will be a new way to leave a lobby early without incurring a penalty and retaining your Bloodpoints. This is being designed for both sides to limit frustration regarding Slugging & DCing.

The Surrender State will only activate upon the following...

• All remaining Survivors are slugged on the ground.

• All remaining Survivors are Bots.

NEW: Gamma Adjustments

A new Gamma setting will be introduced to help players on all platforms to brighten their games without the use of an external filter. This is especially great for console players who don't have access to these filters.

NEW: “Go-Next” Prevention

A new system will be put in place to prevent the many ways Survivors attempt to “Go Next” or “Give Up”.

This includes killing themselves on hook, running to the killer after being unhooked, directing the killer to hook them, etc.

Going next will incur the same penalties as a Disconnect as well as reduce their Survivor Grade.

IMPROVED: Extreme Hiding Prevention

AFK Crows will be adjusted to better identify when a survivor is purposely not engaging with the objective. Upon obtaining crows, a survivor will immediately be revealed to a killer.

It’s unsure if this applies to 1 crow or 3 & it's not specified if this will be via loud noise indicators, killer instinct or auras.

NEW: Body Block Prevention

Upon a survivor gaining 3 AFK Crows, they will lose collision and be able to walk through killers and survivors, preventing body blocking.

IMPROVED: Map Offerings

Map Offerings will increase chances by 20% rather than almost guaranteeing a map. Additionally, they will no longer stack.

BHVR are also considering hiding Map Offerings from other players when used.

IMPROVED: Spawn Rules

By default, all survivors will be spawned within 12 metres of each other. Shroud Offerings will also be changed.

This is because being spread out harmed the Killer(s) more.

IMPROVED: AFK Bot Detection

The AFK Bots designed to lower MMR (ones that just move back and forth) will be better detected.

NEW: Bulk Bloodpoint Spending

We will be getting a button to spend BP in bulk (yay).

It is unsure if this will be a fixed value.

IMPROVED: Quest System

The Challenges and Daily Rituals will be reworked to reduce grind and enhance fun.

NEW: Perk Previews

After some testing, BHVR will be implementing the ability to preview perks in the lobby for everyone.

IMPROVED: Perk Loadouts

More Perk loadouts will be added.

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QOL Initiative: Phase Two

July — December

BHVR have not went in depth on these.

IMPROVED: Anti-Slugging

It’s become clear that BHVR are attempting to tackle slugging with their recent Surveys.

They may implement the basekit Unbreakable we saw on a PTB a while back, albeit with some adjustments.

It’s likely their improved system will take into distance from the Killer and other Survivors.

IMPROVED: Anti-Tunneling

BHVR hasn't hinted at what will change, but we may see Pyramid Head's Cages no longer by endurance.

IMPROVED: Anti-Camping

BHVR haven't shared what will be adjusted, but we may see improvements to the self unhook meter.

IMPROVED: MMR Update

Recently, BHVR has fallen victim to mass data requests from players who want to see their MMR.

BHVR has worked with their legal team to ensure players cannot access their MMR through this data. It is possible this pressured them into improving the system, after several complaints.

This may include changes to how MMR is calculated, different win conditions or being able to see your MMR in game.

IMPROVED: Map & Key Balancing

Maps & Keys aren't many survivors' item of choice when it comes to the trials, however they do provide valuable information and important uses.

Maps may be nerfed, particularly the Rainbow Map, however Keys may get a slight buff as they were already hard nerfed during the Hatch changes.

NEW: Keyboard & Mouse on Consoles

This will bridge the gap between PC & Console players by granting Console players access to the same movement techs.

A variety of Gaming Mice with adjustable DPI are already compatible with Xbox Series X & PS5, though BHVR may add further .

IMPROVED: Custom Games

The current Custom Game system is dated, and it doesn't have access to things like modifiers or game modes.

We may see these finally implemented, or we may see killer bots to practice with.

IMPROVED: Accessibility

Despite BHVR granting a visual terror radius, accessibility is very poor for this game. They will hopefully add far more settings.

Adjustments most demanded for include...

• Blinding making the screen black to help sensitive eyes.

• Plague's vomit noises to be toggleable.

• Dredge's nightfall noises to be toggleable.

• Directional Visual Audio for Terror Radius & Spirit.

• Improved Colour Blindness Adjustments.

• Adjustable Scratch Mark & Red Stain Colours.

• Foot Controller .

IMPROVED: Reduced Log-In Steps

This may be related to BHVR s or the game in general.

BHVR s are a bit convoluted, you need to connect the to your platform and THEN connect the game to your platform. They may reduce these steps.

The game has a lot to go through before you can access it, and it isn't uncommon to get at least one Initialization Error, particularly on console. They may be reducing what needs initialized.

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AND BUG FIXES