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Bats, Blood, and Belmonts: Dracula Joins the Hunt in Dead by Daylight

Sami-Jo Perruzza

06 Aug 2024 • 5 min read

Gothic horror, shapeshifting, and a sinister castle on the horizon converge as Dead by Daylight introduces its first-ever vampire Killer: Dracula himself.

The night spreads from Dracula’s Castle through the woods and villages, whispering terror. The vampire stirs. Available from August 6th via the Steam public test build and officially releasing on August 27th, Dead by Daylight: Castlevania integrates one of gaming’s longest-running series, bringing Dracula and Trevor Belmont into The Fog.

An Immortal Franchise

Castlevania, one of the most iconic series from Konami Digital Entertainment (KONAMI), first released in 1986 on the Famicom Disk System in Japan and on the NES in 1987, has left an indelible mark on the gaming world. For many, including the Dead by Daylight team, the original Castlevania in its 8-bit glory represented an early introduction to horror gaming. Decades later, with numerous titles and a hit animated series, Castlevania ascends the pantheon of horror with its arrival in Dead by Daylight.

Dracula’s powers and his castle are inextricably linked, and The Entity has brought both into its realm. When Dracula is the featured Killer in a Trial with an Original Map, players will see the ominous castle looming over the proceedings, perched on the horizon. The powers it bestows upon its master are enough to make even the most grizzled Survivor’s blood run cold.

Deadly as the Wolf, Swift as the Bat

With Castlevania’s Dracula, Dead by Daylight welcomes its first shapeshifting Killer and its first vampire to The Fog. Regal, imposing, and wholly terrifying, Dracula’s disdain for humankind is matched only by his bloodlust, making The Entity’s Realm a perfect hunting ground for the nightwalker.

The Dark Lord can take many forms, each proficient in tracking and killing victims. As a vampire, he stalks his prey, able to conjure flames that sear flesh and render bone to ash. The Bat is as quiet as a creeping shadow, approaching at a moment’s notice and gaining ground with a blink. The Wolf is a relentless hunter with a keen nose for fresh blood—even that which has yet to be spilled.

“We wanted to create fluidity in the way players can have Dracula change between his different forms and make it feel seamless,” shares Dead by Daylight Creative Director Dave Richard. When I first played Symphony of the Night—which is one of my favorite games of all time—having vampiric powers like these was absolutely amazing. Being able to put players in the shoes of The Dark Lord in Dead by Daylight was an alluring and unique opportunity for us.”

Survivor’s Bloodline

Tormented, exiled, and even cursed, the Belmont bloodline has stood between humanity and the forces of darkness for countless generations. Perhaps no descendant of this clan is better equipped to take on The Entity’s Realm than the new Survivor, Trevor Belmont.

First introduced in 1989’s Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, Trevor may not be the brawniest Belmont, but his unique skillset sets him apart. From an innate ability to seek out allies and work as part of a team to his unmatched skills as a vampire hunter, his values and will exemplify what makes the Belmont clan who they are.

Dead by Daylight: Castlevania is currently available as part of the Steam public test build and will officially be released on August 27th

About Dead by Daylight™

Created by Behaviour™ Interactive, Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer action horror game of hide and seek, set in a dark fantasy and drawing from all corners of horror, where each match is a different experience. Dead by Daylight boasts 60 million players both globally and across all platforms. On any given day, up to 2 million players step into The Fog, whether on PC, console, or mobile. Since its release in 2016, the game has become a place where cult classic horror survives and thrives, having welcomed legends from TV, movies, and video games. For more information, please visit deadbydaylight.com.  

About Castlevania™   

Created by KONAMI almost 40 years ago in 1986, Castlevania is an action-adventure video game series following vampire hunters, the Belmont Clan and their perilous quest to vanquish Dracula, whose dark resurrection threatens the balance of the world. The series is renowned for its rich lore, including various characters, artifacts, and mythological references that contribute to its intricate and immersive storyline. Known for its side-scrolling platforming gameplay, challenging difficulty, and atmospheric visuals, the Castlevania video game series has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, influencing countless titles and extending its legacy into other media such as manga and an animated series.

About  Behaviour™ Interactive   
Behaviour Interactive is the largest Canadian gaming studio, with more than 1,300 employees worldwide. Behaviour is best known for its flagship franchise, the multiplayer survival horror game Dead by Daylight™, which has entertained more than 60 million players across multiple platforms. The studio is currently expanding its portfolio of original IP with multiple projects. Behaviour has also established itself as one of the world’s leading providers of external development services. The company has partnered with many of the gaming industry’s leaders, including Microsoft, Sony, EA, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Take-Two, among many others. Over more than 30 years, Behaviour has developed an unparalleled, award-winning culture. The company was named one of the Best Places to Work in Canada by GamesIndustry.biz, and has been recognized with Deloitte Canada’s Enterprise Fast 15 and Best Managed Company awards. Headquartered in Montreal, Behaviour has expanded its global presence with studios in Toronto (Behaviour Toronto), Seattle (Midwinter Entertainment), the United Kingdom (Behaviour UK - North and Behaviour UK - South) and the Netherlands (Behaviour Rotterdam). For more information, visit www.bhvr.com.  

About Konami Group
Konami Group was established in 1973, starting as an amusement machine manufacturer for arcades. Over the years, the company has grown to include different business units across various markets. Currently, KONAMI GROUP CORPORATION includes the Digital Entertainment, Amusement, Gaming & Systems, and Sports Businesses. The company went public on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1984, the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, and the London Stock Exchange in 1999. For more information, visit: www.konami.com/en.

About Konami Digital Entertainment
Konami Digital Entertainment, which is the core company of Konami Group, develops entertaining content for mobile, console and card games. The company is known for global franchises such as eFootball™, Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Contra, as well as the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game series. www.konami.com/games/corporate/en/