Dead by Daylight Creator Acquires Darkest Dungeon Studio, Expanding Horror Game Portfolio

The gaming industry has witnessed another significant acquisition. Behaviour Interactive, behind the popular multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight, has purchased Red Hook Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Darkest Dungeon series.

A Strategic Move in the Horror Genre

Behaviour Interactive’s CEO and co-founder, Rémi Racine, stated that the acquisition aligns with the company’s ambitious goal for 2024: to make Behaviour synonymous with horror. This move marks a crucial step towards achieving that objective, further solidifying their position in the horror game market.

Red Hook Studios, known for the Darkest Dungeon franchise, which has sold nearly seven million copies, will continue to operate as an independent studio under Behaviour Interactive’s umbrella. All 29 team members from Red Hook will remain with the company, ensuring continuity in their creative process.

Behaviour’s Expansion Strategy

This acquisition is part of Behaviour Interactive’s broader expansion strategy. In the past two years, the company has made four acquisitions:

• SockMonkey Studios
• Codeglue
• Fly Studio
• Red Hook Studios (the latest addition)

Additionally, Behaviour launched a new UK studio last year, staffed by former employees of AntiMatter Games.

Recent Developments

While Behaviour Interactive is expanding through acquisitions, they’ve also made some tough decisions. Last week, the company announced the cancellation of Project T, which was intended to be a spin-off of Dead by Daylight.

As the gaming scene continues to evolve, it’s clear that Behaviour Interactive is positioning itself as a major player in the horror game genre. With the addition of Red Hook Studios and their expertise in creating atmospheric, challenging games like Darkest Dungeon, fans can likely expect more terrifying experiences in the future.

Source: gamesindustry