Dead by Daylight Isn’t Dead — But It Is Wearing Me Down

Dead by Daylight Isn’t Dead — But It Is Wearing Me Down

This is a harder post to write than I expected.
Not because I’m angry, but because Dead by Daylight is a game I used to genuinely love.
That’s what makes this year stand out — not one disaster, but how many small issues stacked up until enthusiasm quietly drained away.

On paper, Behaviour had a strong year.
In practice, it felt messy, defensive, and increasingly disconnected from the people actually playing the game.

Big Swings, Weak Follow-Through

There were real wins:

  • Major crossover moments
  • Long-requested licenses
  • Continued visibility and solid player numbers

But almost every win came with friction.
Momentum rarely turned into confidence.

The PTBs That Didn’t Listen

Twice this year, Behaviour tried to address slugging and tunnelling through PTBs.

The community response was immediate and consistent:

  • This won’t fix the problem
  • This adds frustration
  • This targets symptoms, not causes

Disagreement is normal.
Unified feedback being ignored is not.

When PTBs stop feeling like tests and start feeling like rehearsals for decisions already made, trust erodes fast.

The Livestream That Became a Case Study

The Walking Dead livestream should have been simple:

  • High-profile guest
  • One of the biggest DBD creators
  • A crossover meant to rebuild hype

Instead, it unravelled live.

Technical issues happen.
What mattered was watching the creator actively offer practical solutions — and being shut down by the developers on air.

That moment did more damage than the outage itself.
Flexibility gave way to control, and the optics flipped instantly.

Losing Michael Myers Changes Everything

This is no longer hypothetical.

Michael Myers — Dead by Daylight’s first licensed killer — is confirmed to be leaving the store.

Yes, if you own the chapter, you keep it.
The character will not disappear from existing accounts.

That does not soften the impact.

  • Myers isn’t just another license
  • He’s part of the game’s foundation
  • He proved licensed horror could work long-term in DBD

After Hellraiser, this confirms a pattern rather than an exception.
The unspoken promise that some things were permanent is gone.

“You Keep What You Bought” Isn’t Reassuring Anymore

Nothing is being taken away from existing players.
But the consequences are real:

  • New players lose access to a core horror icon
  • Foundational killers become legacy content
  • The game’s identity fragments over time

Live service games rely on trust that long-term investment matters.
That trust took a direct hit this year.

Licenses Won’t Fix Systems

Jason Voorhees would help.

  • Huge recognition
  • Immediate hype
  • A short-term surge in attention

But licenses don’t solve:

  • Tunnelling incentives
  • Slugging as pressure
  • Solo queue frustration
  • Meta fatigue

Without structural change, a new killer is a sugar rush — not a recovery.

This Isn’t Death. It’s Erosion.

Dead by Daylight isn’t dying.

What’s happening is quieter:

  • Players log in less
  • Defend the game less
  • Recommend it less
  • Shrug when things go wrong

That’s more dangerous than a loud collapse.

Why I’m Stepping Back — And Why That Makes Me Sad

This isn’t a goodbye post.

It’s a pause — and one I didn’t expect to need.

I wasn’t expecting to write a Dead by Daylight post for this blog at all.
At one point, I’d even planned a full page dedicated solely to DBD maps — layouts, loops, dead zones, the works.

That idea felt exciting then.
Now, it feels like a ship that sailed while I was still deciding whether to board.

Not because the maps stopped being interesting, but because my confidence in the game staying stable long-term quietly faded.
Without that confidence, it’s hard to justify investing that kind of time and care.

Maybe that changes one day.
I’d like it to.
But right now, this post exists not because I planned it — but because I needed to be honest about where things stand.

If Behaviour wants to steady the ship:

  • Announce less
  • Ship more
  • Fix incentives, not behaviour
  • Close the loop on feedback

Do that, and goodwill returns.

Without it, the game won’t collapse.
It’ll coast — carried by licenses and habit — while the people who cared most slowly disengage.

And that’s the part that genuinely makes me sad to write.

Clarification Note

  • Licensed content removed from sale is not removed from existing accounts
  • This post focuses on access, stability, and trust
  • Michael Myers’ removal is confirmed; broader concerns are based on precedent

Is My Life Today What I Pictured a Year Ago?

Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?

No — not really. A year ago, this isn’t where I expected things to be heading.

I definitely didn’t picture myself running a blog, let alone sticking with it and building something around it. It wasn’t part of the plan, mostly because there wasn’t much of a plan to begin with.

But here I am. Writing regularly, shaping ideas, and turning small moments into something tangible. It wasn’t predicted, but it’s been a good shift — one that grew naturally rather than being forced.

So while life today doesn’t match the picture I had a year ago, it’s not worse. Just different. Sometimes the unexpected route turns out to be the one that actually fits.

Not everything needs to be forecasted to be worth doing.

Cities I’d Like to Visit

What cities do you want to visit?

When it comes to cities I’d like to visit, I’m less interested in ticking boxes and more interested in places that feel lived in. Cities with history, atmosphere, and enough character to explore without rushing.

Edinburgh is high on the list. Old streets, layered history, and the kind of place where wandering aimlessly still feels like progress.

Prague appeals for similar reasons. Architecture, walkability, and a sense that every corner has something to say without shouting about it.

I’d also like to see Tokyo. Not for the spectacle alone, but for how it balances intensity with order. It’s a city that looks overwhelming at first, then quietly efficient once you understand how it works.

On the calmer end, Amsterdam stands out. Compact, navigable, and built at a human pace. A city where movement feels natural instead of exhausting.

None of these are about luxury or big moments. Just places that reward curiosity, patience, and a bit of wandering — which tends to suit me better than rigid plans.

One Thing I Hope People Say About Me

Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.

If there’s one thing I’d hope people say about me, it’s that I’m reliable. Not in a flashy way — just someone who shows up, follows through, and does what they say they’ll do.

I don’t aim to be the loudest voice in the room or the centre of attention. I’d rather be the person who stays steady when things get complicated and doesn’t add unnecessary noise to the situation.

Being dependable matters more to me than being impressive. If someone can say I made things a little easier, clearer, or calmer just by being there, that’s enough.

Nothing dramatic. Just solid, consistent, and trustworthy. That’s the goal.

Super Mario 64 Randomizer – Log 6: Time Stops for No Mario

Progress: 38 Stars Collected | 82 Remaining | 21 Lives
Platform: Steam Deck
Settings: Vanilla Mario & Music

“When I looked into the light expecting peace and found Tick Tock Clock instead, I realised this run has no mercy.”

With Whomp’s Fortress cleared, I headed back to the basement to see what chaos was waiting this time. First win of the day: MIPS went down without a fight. One clean grab. One clean star.

Next stop: the Secret Aquarium. Straightforward as always. Then I spotted a platform that needed the Wing Cap. I don’t have it. I took the loss and moved on.

The big basement door — the one that may or may not lead to Hazy Maze Cave — is still locked. No key. No access. Back upstairs it was.

YouTube – Log 6 Video

Tick Tock Clock: Early, Unwanted, but Done

I looked into the light expecting the Wing Cap trial. I got Tick Tock Clock instead.

Shockingly, it wasn’t a disaster. Star placements were forgiving. No awkward jumps on tiny gears. No close calls over the void. The only real struggle was:

  • Grinding out the 100 Coin Star
  • Backtracking to collect the Red Coin Star

Annoying, sure, but manageable. And now the whole level is finished and off the board.

Rainbow Ride: Another Early Win

Like Tick Tock Clock, Rainbow Ride popped up early in this seed. Getting both out of the way now is a massive relief. Two of the most awkward courses cleaned up long before they can cause havoc.

Log 6 Summary

Lives 21
Stars Collected 38
Stars Remaining 82
Nightmares Cleared Early Tick Tock Clock, Rainbow Ride

Two tough courses gone. One rabbit caught. One fake Wing Cap entrance. A solid session.

Continue the Journey

Previous Log | Next Log

Super Mario 64 Randomizer Hub

My Favourite Physical Activities

What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?

I don’t chase complicated workout routines. My favourite physical activities are the ones that feel practical, steady, and don’t require a motivational speech to get started.

Walking is at the top of the list. It’s simple, clears the head, and doesn’t need equipment, planning, or any sort of athletic heroics. Just movement and a bit of quiet.

I also appreciate light stretching or mobility work. Nothing dramatic — just enough to keep everything functioning without complaining. It’s more maintenance than exercise, but it does what it needs to do.

And while it’s not a formal workout, I enjoy anything that has a clear purpose: lifting something that actually needs lifting, organising a space, or tackling the kind of physical tasks that make the day run smoother. Functional movement feels more useful than sets and reps.

Nothing flashy. Nothing extreme. Just activities that help me stay steady without turning it into a survival challenge.

What I Admire in Others

What is something others do that sparks your admiration?

I admire people who stay calm under pressure. Not because they’re fearless, but because they know how to steady themselves when things get messy. That kind of focus is worth more than half the noise we deal with day to day.

I also respect consistency. Showing up, doing the work, and keeping promises — even when it’s inconvenient — says a lot more than big gestures ever do. Steady effort beats flashy effort every time.

Another thing that stands out is the ability to learn without ego. People who admit when they don’t know something, ask the right questions, and come back stronger. It’s practical, honest, and a trait more of us could use.

And finally, I admire those who can find humour in difficult moments. Not denial, not avoidance — just the ability to cut through tension with something light so everyone can breathe again.

None of these traits are loud. They don’t make headlines. But they make life easier, and that’s worth admiring.

Fissure of Woe: A Clear 15 Years in the Making

Fissure of Woe: A Clear 15 Years in the Making

If you’d told younger me that I’d eventually beat the Fissure of Woe without a Barrage/Pet group, I’d have laughed.
Back then, FoW was something I visited, not something I finished. I joined random B/P teams, fired arrows at anything that moved,
and hoped the pets would tank things they absolutely shouldn’t have been tanking.
I even tried the old ranger solo runs to the Forest — mostly because everyone else was doing it and I wanted to feel cool.

A full clear though?
That never happened.
FoW politely reminded me I was not the hero of this story.

Until now.

Standing at the Chest of Woe after my first full Fissure of Woe clear — a moment fifteen years overdue.

The Soulwoven Steps Back Into the Fire

This was my first proper attempt at beating FoW from start to finish — no gimmicks, no leaning on other players to carry me,
and no pretending my ranger pet was going to solve my problems.
Just me, The Soulwoven, and a hero team that has become far too competent for its own good.

This photo above is from the full clear —it captures the general theme of this entire adventure:
me walking into a nightmare realm with seven spirits, three mesmers, three necromancers, a ritualist specialising in restoration spirits, and questionable confidence.

The Wovenway Build Holds Its Ground

For this run I used the build I’ve been refining over the last week: a mix of spiritway, discordway, and mesmerway —
which I’ve nicknamed Wovenway.
Tacky? Possibly.
Accurate? Absolutely.

My heroes did the heavy lifting, as usual.
The E-Surge mesmers handled the hex pressure, the Discord minions kept bodies on the ground (helpful for both damage and nostalgia),
and my restoration Ritualist quietly kept everyone alive.
I focused on offensive spirits and Lamentation, occasionally pretending I understood the exact timing of everything happening on-screen.

A Run That Paid for Itself

To my surprise, the run went smoothly.
Suspiciously smoothly.
Either I’ve improved, or the enemies were having an off day.

I walked out with:

  • Two Passage Scrolls
  • Five Obsidian Shards
  • Several gold items

Not bad for what was meant to be “a test run.”
The whole trip paid for itself and then some.

What Comes Next?

FoW is just the beginning.
I’m still working on hero armor — Gwen, Livia, and Xandra now have Brotherhood sets, the rest are getting sorted one by one —
and I’ve been dipping into the Underworld again to see just how far Wovenway can go.

There’s also a strong temptation to record these runs.
Not a single-session full clear (I value sleep), but segmented videos:
three quests at a time, then stitched together.
Practical hero management, realistic expectations, and my usual commentary whenever something explodes unexpectedly.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts

It took more than a decade, a new name, and a surprisingly effective team of heroes,
but I can finally say I’ve beaten the Fissure of Woe.
Not as a ranger hiding behind pets, not as a tag-along in someone else’s group —
but on my own terms, with my own build, playing a class that younger me barely even understood.

FoW didn’t stand a chance.
Apparently, neither did my free time.


Continue the Journey

My Favorite Cartoons

What’s your favorite cartoon?

My taste in cartoons runs across a wide spectrum, and I don’t really try to narrow it down to a single favourite. At the top sits Hazbin Hotel, mostly because it leans fully into its own chaos. The animation style is bold, the humour is sharp, and the characters manage to be a mix of unhinged, entertaining, and unexpectedly sincere. It’s chaotic energy done well.

Right beside it is Helluva Boss. Same universe, different direction, and just as strong. The show mixes comedy, action, and emotional gut punches in a way that shouldn’t work as smoothly as it does. One minute you’re laughing at some unfiltered nonsense, and the next it slips in something surprisingly honest. It earns its place up there with Hazbin easily.

Even with those modern favourites, I still go back to the classics. Looney Tunes remains one of the most reliable sources of humour ever animated. The timing, the slapstick, the complete disregard for physics — it all lands just as well now as it did the first time I watched it. Some formulas age; that one doesn’t.

Then there are the old Disney cartoons, which have a very different charm. Simple stories, solid animation, and a tone that doesn’t need to try hard to work. They’re calm, consistent, and easy to come back to when I want something familiar without any noise attached.

Between the stylish modern chaos of Hazbin and Helluva Boss, the timeless absurdity of Looney Tunes, and the quiet comfort of Disney’s classics, I’ve ended up with a blend that pretty much covers every mood. I’d struggle to pick just one, but together they sum up exactly what I enjoy about animation.

What I Could Do Less Of

What could you do less of?

If I had to pick something to do less of, it would be overthinking. It doesn’t solve much, but it does a great job of turning small tasks into mini-boss encounters. Most things take five minutes once I finally start them.

I could also do less multitasking. It sounds productive, but half the time it just splits my focus and slows everything down. Finishing one thing properly beats juggling five half-done things any day.

Another habit I could tone down is doom-scrolling. Not dramatic amounts, just the quiet routine of checking one thing, then another, then somehow ending up reading something that adds nothing to the day except a raised eyebrow.

And finally, I could do less second-guessing. Not every choice needs a full internal review panel. Sometimes “good enough” is exactly what it needs to be.

Nothing life-changing — just small adjustments that would free up a bit more energy for things that actually matter.

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