Author: Paul Davies
Publisher: Titan Books
Price: $39.99 USD (Hardcover)
Date Available: August 26th, 2026
Behaviour Interactive’s Dead by Daylight is one of gaming’s OGs in asymmetrical horror. It released ten years ago in 2016 and is still alive and kicking. It’s amassed commercial success with over 70 million players, DLC, and numerous collaborations. Even if you do not play asymmetrical horror video games, odds are you’ve at least heard of Dead by Daylight, and what better way to celebrate this long-lasting title with a book on its art and lore. Written by Paul Davies—who authored several books on video games such as High on Life, Marvel’s Avengers, and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced—The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight will take you through the evolution of its creepy cast and gameplay throughout the years.
Author’s Note: A review copy was provided by Titan Books.
Finding Beauty in the Horrific
The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight is a hardcover book just shy of 200 pages. It’s broken out into segments spanning a range of years as a means to chronicle Behaviour Interaction’s journey with the game. The developers recount their experience at launch, how they adapted over time to keep content fresh, and provided a behind-the-scenes look so that the reader may gain a better understanding and appreciation for Dead by Daylight.
“Though the founders knew they has something, this was nowhere near everything that Dead by Daylight would come to mean for its many followers. Our story finds its focus in that relationship.” -Davies
The book does not shy away from amazing images that populat every single page. Images included early artwork on the Realms of the Entity and iterations of all the Killers such as the Trapper, the Wraith, and the Artist. Davies does not skimp out on the art, providing sketches, concept art, digital renders, and other cosmetic explorations that can fully satisfy any Dead by Daylight fan. And because the book progresses in chronological order, you can see how the designs changed over time. You may also skip ahead to your favorite sections or explore ones you’ve missed out on.
“It was supposed to be this small thing, but at some point, it got out of hand. We were making this silly game about a psychopathic teddy bear, but publishers started coming in and things got serious.” -Ash Pannell
Davies then blends the lores into the pages of this book, scattering them with calculated intent alongside the images from the characters and game. What makes the Survivors unique? For example, Zarina Kassir, finds herself in this situation as a documentary filmmaker. She, unfortunately, discovers her deceased father before the Fog takes her. Another example is the sibling duo, Renato and Thalita Lyra. The book provides fun details about their personalities; Renato plays the guitar and is learning kite fighting while his sister hopes her modeling career will launch her into acting.
“One of our pillars is to be remarkable in the horror genre. Another is to leave something positive in pop culture…That can be specific artwork or an art direction that you think about and want to replicate as a fan.” -Dave Richard
The Killers, of course, must stand out as well, since they are the lifeblood (or more appropriately, nightmare) of the game. One of the more recent Killers, Adriana Imai, has a history of violent outbursts as a child. Her father created manga, and her persona shaped around one of his ideas.
The book provides easy pacing that can be read from cover to cover or in any order of preference. Standout Killers and Survivors in Dead by Daylight‘s chapters are portrayed front and center and infused with insightful lore and commentary from the team at Behaviour Interactive. Learning how they kept the game fresh after ten years gave me a renewed sense of appreciation for Dead by Daylight.
FINAL SCORE:
The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight pays homage to this ten-year-old game in the best way possible. As Behaviour Interactive celebrates this huge milestone, this book chronicles their journey and rewards the reader with jaw-dropping art and juicy lore.
The book is laid out in an organized and easy-to-understand manner and balances pictures, stories, and commentary that makes it easy and enjoyable to read. It can be something one could consume in one sitting or over time. The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight makes a perfect collector’s item for the ultimate fan, a fun “coffee table” read for gamers, or an informative read to someone starting in the video game industry.
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Featured Image Source: The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight
Source: The Art and Lore of Dead by Daylight
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