On July 29, 2025, fans of both horror gaming and AMC’s iconic series The Walking Dead will be treated to an exciting new chapter in the popular asymmetrical horror game Dead by Daylight. Behaviour Interactive has officially confirmed a thrilling collaboration that brings some of the show’s most beloved characters—Rick Grimes, Michonne, and Daryl Dixon—into the game’s chilling universe. This crossover not only adds fresh gameplay elements but also pays homage to the rich narrative and atmosphere that have made The Walking Dead a cultural phenomenon.
The news was first teased earlier in the week, with the chapter becoming available in the Player Test Build (PTB) on July 8, 2025, before its full release later this month. Players can now dive into the eerie world where Rick and Michonne join the roster as new Survivors, while Daryl Dixon appears uniquely as a Legendary Outfit for Rick. The collaboration is particularly notable for featuring original voice acting from Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus, who reprise their roles as Rick and Daryl, respectively, lending authenticity and depth to their in-game counterparts.
What sets this chapter apart is how closely it ties into the storyline of the TV series. The narrative centers on the period following Rick Grimes’s apparent demise after a bridge explosion—an event that left his friends and family searching for answers. Unknown to them, Rick has been pulled into the mysterious Fog, a supernatural realm integral to Dead by Daylight’s lore. Michonne, driven by the faint hope of finding Rick, ventures into the Fog herself after hearing his voice. This clever intertwining of the game’s mechanics with the show's storyline enriches the experience for fans of both mediums.
Gameplay-wise, Rick and Michonne come equipped with six new character perks, all emphasizing teamwork and survival, echoing the core themes of the TV series. Rick’s perks—Apocalyptic Ingenuity, Come and Get Me!, and Teamwork: Toughen Up—highlight his leadership and protective instincts. For instance, Apocalyptic Ingenuity allows players to rummage through chests to replace broken pallets with fragile ones, giving survivors a tactical edge in slowing down killers. Come and Get Me! offers a unique ability: after unhooking a survivor and remaining crouched and idle, Rick can silence all nearby injured and dying survivors and hide their blood pools, though at the cost of briefly revealing his aura to the killer through a scream. Teamwork: Toughen Up reduces Rick’s grunts of pain, scratch marks, and blood pools when another survivor nearby stuns or blinds the killer, enhancing stealth and survivability.
Michonne’s perks—Conviction, Last Stand, and Teamwork: Throw Down—focus on resilience and cooperative defense. Conviction activates after healing another survivor, granting a brief window to instantly recover from the dying state, albeit with the risk of becoming broken if healing isn't completed in time. Last Stand allows Michonne to stun the killer by fast-vaulting near them after spending time in their terror radius, providing a surprise defensive maneuver. Teamwork: Throw Down rewards players who successfully pallet stun the killer by temporarily granting nearby injured survivors endurance and revealing the killer’s aura, fostering a supportive playstyle.
Daryl Dixon, while not a separate playable survivor, makes his mark as a Legendary Outfit for Rick. This skin not only changes Rick’s appearance but also features Norman Reedus’s voice acting, creating a seamless and immersive crossover for fans. Alongside this, the collaboration introduces a collection of alternate outfits and recolors for both Rick and Michonne, inspired by key episodes from the show such as Michonne’s looks from "The Next World" and "What We Become," and Rick’s "Last Day on Earth" and "Brutal Awakening" outfits, the latter possibly referencing his iconic coma awakening scene.
The environmental design has also been thoughtfully integrated. A new map tile in the Garden of Joy will appear whenever Rick or Michonne are in play, featuring iconic locations from The Walking Dead universe. Players will recognize the haunting “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” hospital doors and elements from the prison, both pivotal settings in the series. This corrupted tile is a manifestation of The Entity’s influence, blending the horror game’s supernatural elements with the gritty realism of the show.
This crossover continues Dead by Daylight's tradition of collaborating with major horror and pop culture franchises, joining the ranks of previous partnerships with Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Stranger Things, and Resident Evil, among others. Since its 2016 launch, the game has thrived on these collaborations, each bringing unique characters, maps, and perks that enrich gameplay and expand its fan base.
Rick and Daryl’s shared kit focuses heavily on disruption and tactical use of pallets. Fragile pallets, which can be created through Rick’s Apocalyptic Ingenuity, will break after use but still stun killers, providing crucial moments for escape or rescue. Additionally, Rick’s perks facilitate communication and stealth, such as revealing the killer’s location to allies or masking his own traces when others stun the killer. Michonne’s perks complement this by enhancing healing capabilities and empowering survivors to surprise and withstand killers, reinforcing the team-oriented survival theme.
Fans are already buzzing with excitement, eager to step into the shoes of their favorite characters and explore the new map features. The inclusion of authentic voice acting and meticulously designed outfits demonstrates Behaviour Interactive’s commitment to honoring the source material while delivering fresh and engaging content.
As the July 29 launch approaches, players can access the chapter through the PTB to get an early taste of the action. With the integration of Rick, Michonne, and Daryl, Dead by Daylight not only expands its roster but also deepens its narrative and gameplay complexity, promising a memorable experience for both horror enthusiasts and The Walking Dead fans alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned survivor or a newcomer, this chapter invites you to navigate the treacherous Fog alongside some of the most iconic figures in post-apocalyptic storytelling. So gear up, brace yourself, and prepare to survive—because in this crossover, the stakes have never been higher.
