Record‑Breaking Surge as Five Nights at Freddy’s Joins Dead by Daylight
Behaviour Interactive’s asymmetrical horror hit Dead by Daylight has achieved its highest‑ever Steam concurrence following the launch of Chapter 36, a fully‑fledged crossover with the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. On Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 106,029 survivors and killers crowded the servers simultaneously, eclipsing the previous all‑time peak set during the 2021 Resident Evil event.
A New Milestone for a Ninth-Year Title
SteamDB statistics confirm that the 106k figure represents a gain of nearly 1,000 players over the four‑year‑old record, underscoring the enduring appeal of cross‑licensed horror content in Behaviour Interactive’s live‑service roadmap.
Spotlight on Chapter 36: Five Nights at Freddy’s
The paid DLC introduces Springtrap Fazbear Entertainment’s notorious animatronic as the roster’s 39th Killer, accompanied by the iconic Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria map. Core mechanics such as generator repair and hook sacrifice remain intact, while new features security‑camera vision blocks and spring‑door stun zones translate the tension of Scott Cawthon’s jump‑scare classic into Dead by Daylight’s high‑mobility arena.
Collaboration Strategy Driving Growth
Since 2017, Behaviour Interactive has pursued a “horror hall‑of‑fame” model, weaving established franchises (Stranger Things, Silent Hill, Hellraiser) into The Fog. Each partnership reliably spikes the active population; however, the Five Nights at Freddy’s chapter now stands as the most commercially impactful to date.
Developer Perspective
“Killer design meant distilling FNaF’s battery‑drain paranoia into a dynamic, chase‑oriented experience,” explains Springtrap designer Jay Guzzo. “Our goal was to keep the pressure high without forcing players to sit still something only Dead by Daylight can do at scale.
Availability
Dead by Daylight: Five Nights at Freddy’s is live now on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch for USD 4.99 / EUR 4.99 / 500 Auric Cells. A free update delivering balance tweaks and new cosmetics launches in July.
