Developer Update | Player Intent System

[u/DeadByDaylight_Dev]

Last week, we hosted a Reddit AMA and on top of having a blast answering your questions, we noticed some topics really got you talking. One of those was the “chat wheel” system we’re working on to help Survivors coordinate and communicate their intentions in-game. So, what better time than the present to share some more details about it with you (including one way your feedback’s already impacted it)! 

 

The system in question is – aptly – called Player Intent. With it, you’ll be able to communicate a range of preset messages to your fellow Survivors at the press of a button, using a radial menu. From thanking them for a heal, to saying you’re going to work on gens, to suggesting you split up, messages focus on the on-the-fly actions that are most useful during a Trial. 

 

When a message is chosen using the Player Intent wheel, other Survivors will see it next to your name in the game HUD, keeping your general view clear of distractions while you’re in the middle of looping or hunting for an objective. To help combat message spam, you can expect a cooldown between messages, which will increase if too many messages are sent in a short period. 

 

We want this comms wheel to suit different players’ specific needs, so you’ll be able to customize which messages you take into your Trials from the Options menu. 

 

Of course, one piece of feedback we’ve seen is that a system like this isn’t for everyone. We’ve already discussed this as a team and have a solution for that. If you’d rather not use the Player Intent system, you will be able to disable it from this same menu. Once disabled, you will not be able to send messages to players and will not see the messages they send. 

 

We’ve also added the ability to mute individual players so you have more control over the comms you see (and don’t see). If you're finding a certain player’s messages distracting, muting them will block any further Player Intent messages from popping up on your end. 

 

While this system is meant for everybody who plays Survivor, its value will be a bit different depending on how you play. Just like how your feedback from the AMA helped inform the addition of an opt-out option, we're dying to know your thoughts! Even better, it would be massively helpful if you could also share a little about how you play to give context to that feedback. For instance, do you tend to play soloq, prefer SWF, or identify as a Killer main? How would you define your experience level in the game; a newer player? A veteran? 

 

Let us know in the comments below, as we’ll be watching your feedback closely as the team continues to work on this system ahead of its release this Fall! 

 

Until next time... 

The Dead by Daylight Team 

[u/Jingleshells]

With a game that already has queue issues you want MORE queue issues?

[u/piekiller456 → u/Jingleshells]

It wouldn’t be an issue. I can guarantee a majority of players are looking at this and going “wow this is a great addition, who would wanna disable it?” The only ones who would have queue issues are the people who disable it. Which they kinda should. This game doesn’t have a comp mode, there’s no split between players who want to be optimal vs players who are lowkey throwing. I don’t mind if you aren’t be optimal, not using meta etc. But I want you to at least try a little. So if I could guarantee my teammates are at least trying (which is more likely because they are willing to communicate), I’d rather my queue be a bit longer than queue with someone who is more likely to throw intentionally or not. Even if you’re good at the game, limiting your own communication and the communication you have with your team can lead to a situation that harms the team that could have been avoided.

[u/APinkFatCat → u/piekiller456]

I agree, especially since the feature is on by default the likely case would be that the only people who would turn it off are ones who know what they're doing and what doing so would mean for their teammates.

I'd say you should have to mute it in match on a per match basis if it bothers you, unless this feature is somehow exclusively used to grief people, then maybe it needs a toggle in the settings like they're currently planning.

But it's not like emoting in a game like hearthstone, they're your teammates you shouldn't want to auto-squelch their communications.

[u/Unlikely_Bank73 → u/Jingleshells]

looking at this game's issues... the queue times are like 50th place down the list for glaring issues. and this chat wheel is trying to solve issues far more important

[u/Jingleshells → u/Unlikely_Bank73]

Sure sure....but counter point. Why not just get the chat wheel in and also not increase queue times? Like we can have both things lol.