Through press release means, the folks at Supermassive Games — who are responsible for the great Until Dawn, as well as The Dark Pictures Anthology and Little Nightmares III — have revealed a release date for their next title. We are talking about Directive 8020; the “sci-fi survival horror narrative adventure.” A game that will offer single player content, or couch co-op for up to 5 players.
Directive 8020 is scheduled to launch on May 12th, and will do so in physical and digital formats. Preorders are now live on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, the latter of which will understandably be digital only. Those who preorder will receive a free Deluxe Edition upgrade.
The Deluxe Edition includes:
- The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack
- The Dark Pictures Collectables
- Cinematic Filter Pack
- Digital Soundtrack
- Digital Artbook
Read on for more about this interesting sounding game.
Every Choice Has a Consequence
- The Comply Pre-Order Trailer explores Directive 8020’s paranoia-fueled decision-making, where trust is fragile and every choice can be deadly.
- Choice-Based Gameplay: Cooper, the ship’s medic, is fueled by paranoia and faces a harrowing decision as her crewmate Mitchell pleads for release from behind a sealed door. Cooper, unknowing if he’s human or not, has a difficult decision to make. This moment underscores a core theme of Directive 8020: trust no one, as every action has consequences.
- The “Double” Reveal: Based on how the game branches and your previous decisions, Cooper can now possess the gun instead of Commander Stafford. Two identical versions of Cernan (the ship’s Engineer) rush into view and you must choose: who is the mimic and who do you allow back into the crew? One choice will prove fatal.
- Planetary Exploration: For the first time, the trailer teases on-planet gameplay showcasing the harsh, alien landscape of Tau Ceti f.
- Talent & Track: The trailer features lead talent Lashana Lynch as pilot Brianna Young, accompanied by the track “Comply” from Brighton-based band Blood Red Shoes.
Turning Points:
Directive 8020 introduces Turning Points, a brand-new feature for The Dark Pictures that allows players to rewind and revisit key decisions, tailoring the experience to different playstyles. Whether uncovering every possible outcome or braving the story with no second chances, Turning Points gives players greater control over how they survive the horrors of deep space.
- Completionists: Track and explore alternative narrative branches and hidden endings.
- “Save my favorite character!” players: Rewind death to undo fatal mistakes and keep favorite characters alive.
- Survivors: Survivor Mode delivers the classic Dark Pictures experience – no safety nets, where every death is permanent.