As a professional gamer, I thrive on the relentless competition of well-crafted multiplayer games. The non-stop action, high skill expression, and opportunity to outsmart worthy adversaries provides the ultimate rush and satisfaction. I deeply admire the studios pushing boundaries in my favorite genre.
So when rumors surfaced that the venerable developers at Behaviour Interactive began working on a top-secret new competitive multiplayer IP, my interest was piqued. This is the same studio behind the ingenious asymmetrical multiplayer dynamics and horror tension of the wildly popular Dead by Daylight – not to mention 50+ million copies sold. Suffice to say, Behaviour knows how to deliver fresh competitive experiences.
While details remain closely guarded, early job listings provide some tantalizing clues into what players like myself can expect from what will likely be their next big hit. As a competitive gaming aficionado, I wanted to analyze those breadcrumbs through the lens of a hardcore player to speculate what awaits.
Crafting a Contender – Behaviour‘s Winning Pedigree
Before gazing forward, let‘s examine Behaviour Interactive‘s past multiplayer successes to set context for what this talented studio could have brewing next.
Founded in 1992, Behaviour Interactive may not be a household name to some gamers. But over 25 years they‘ve honed an impressive pedigree by partnering with major publishers to help shape AAA franchises like Rainbow Six, Warhammer 40k, and Fallout Shelter into breakout hits.
However in 2016, Behaviour stepped out of the shadows when they self-published Dead by Daylight – an original asymmetrical horror game pitching four player-controlled survivors against a ruthless killer in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
The premise struck a chord thanks to nail-biting tension crafted through gorgeously eerie visuals, dizzying map layouts, and innovative asynchronous multiplayer dynamics. To wit:
- Over 50 million copies sold across all platforms
- 200K+ concurrent players at peak times
- 1.8 million+ daily players
- 800+ employees now working on DBD and future titles
With behaviours‘s new competitive multiplayer IP for next-gen consoles and PC building on this strong foundation, expectations from players like me are sky-high. Can they craft lightening in a bottle again? Early intel ignites my imagination.
Unearthing Exciting Details
While most details around the new game remain closely guarded secrets, job listings for key technical roles shed some light for what could be in store. The requirements and descriptions paint the picture of online-focused, games-as-a-service multiplayer title that can capture the gaming zeitgeist today.
Cross-Platform Competitive Multiplayer – Multiple listings called for architects familiar with “competitive multiplayer” and “cross-platform” development, anchoring some core tentpoles to expect. Like any serious player, platform-agnostic matchmaking is fantastic news – I‘m thrilled I may be able to test my skills against others no matter their device.
Next-Gen Power – With requirements emphasizing Xbox Series X/S and Playstation 5 prowess, it’s clear Behaviour intends to harness new hardware capabilities to bring their vision to life. As a visually-focused gamer slinging a beefy custom PC rig, I crave seeing how they’ll ratchet up immersion and high FPS gameplay.
Live Service & Player Investment – References to game economies, account progression, and “games as service development” indicates plans to nurture this new IP long-term rather than fire-and-forget. As someone who hates shelving great games quickly, knowing extended support and updates are key tenets is music to my ears.
Pulling these details together paints an exciting silhouette of a tenacious, expanding competitive game tailored for today‘s highly-connected multiplayer gaming culture. One supported continuously to stimulate that “just one more match” fixation backed by polished mechanics. My imagination runs wild picturing what form this could take.
And to hold players long-term, monetization enters the chat…
Monetizing Engagement
Let‘s face it – multiplayer titles today live and die by the depth player investment , fueled by post-launch content strategies and monetization tactics that subsidize ongoing development. Cosmetics, battle passes, early access perks – you name it.
References to in-game economies and data consistency for “individual player progression” signals that the business model will likely incorporate direct purchase components akin to other service-based games on the market today.
As a longtime competitive gamer, I‘m neither shocked or deterred by this revelation. The value exchange of supplemental content or progression acceleration for continued support is reasonable in my eyes if core gameplay loops remain skill-testing and rewarding.
I‘m ultimately in it for the challenge and thrill – not cosmetic fluff or stat increases. Integrating monetization as an enabler rather than impediment to provocative team competition and testing my dedication is the line.
So whether that takes the shape of battle passes, individual skins, XP boosters or something else entirely matters little if deft game design remains priority #1.
Bringing a Sharp Competitive Focus
While many enjoy multiplayer escapism at a casual level, I represent the hardcore demographic seeking razor sharp and balanced competition. If Behaviour shares my values of skill expression trumping all else, fantastic mechanical depth awaits.
I yearn to test my prowess against evenly-matched peers where victory hangs solely on execution, positioning, and outmaneuvering foes rather than stat discrepancies or gear gaps. Allowing earned mastery to dictate outcomes over time investments or purchased perks. Where sound team communication, strategy and individual flair wins the day.
A foundation centered on respecting skill expression sets the stage for gripping eSports appeal as well – an added bonus! Building tools facilitating spectating and tournament organization from launch could help this new IP emerge rapidly as a mainstay viewing experience alongside the likes of Counterstrike.
Behaviour‘s legacy lends credibility to designing around these principles. And their vague description of a "competitive multiplayer" direction suggests understanding what diehards like myself want first and foremost – mechanics with guts, high skill expression and outplay potential.
I hope we‘ll all be presently surprised together once more concrete details emerge!
In Closing – Cautiously Optimistic
Based on early intel trickling in, Behaviour Interactive appears eager to shift gears into more familiar territory that originally catapulted them to prominence after working many years under a publisher umbrella.
Leveraging extensive background developing acclaimed multiplayer experiences for massive franchises, they seem hungry to now channel that competitive expertise into an original project that resonates in today‘s gaming landscape the way Dead By Daylight did back in 2016.
As an avid competitive gamer, the early pings on crossplay infrastructure, next-gen scope, and games-as-a-service models reassures me this team has their pulse on current gaming trends and player appetites. That first and foremost, rewarding teamplay and mastery could be central pillars given Behaviour‘s pedigree.
While large unknowns remain in actual gameplay specifics, theme and launch timing, I‘m cautiously thrilled to learn more on what will undoubtedly be an ambitious undertaking for the creators behind one of this generation‘s sleeper hits. I‘ve cleared calendar space the moment this eventually gets revealed!
Here‘s hoping Behaviour‘s next ground-floor offering retains their innate understanding of asymmetrical multiplayer dynamics while introducingsomething fresh and deliciously skill expressive. My fellow aspiring competitors and I eagerly await more intel!
