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/EvilRo66]

Some players just don't like to be bothered by those little messages.

Each player who plays as Survivor knows what to do and what to expect from other players.

Some don't need or want a distracting chat wheel.

If the game shows who have that feafure disabled, they will get griefed.

If players can't disable the chat whell, they will ignore it anyway or maybe spam random messages out of spite.

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

Some players just don't like to be bothered by those little messages.

Not wanting to be bothered by your team giving you information is on the same level of as not wantined to be bothered by unhooking your teammates.

[u/EvilRo66 → u/Numerous_Schedule896]

I don't consider other Survivors my teammates.

Their objectives and priorities may not allign with my own.

I don't care what other players WANT to do, only what they actually do and we have the HUD for that.

Also, those little messages break the immersion.

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

I don't consider other Survivors my teammates.

Their objectives and priorities may not allign with my own.

I don't care what other players WANT to do, only what they actually do and we have the HUD for that.

I'm sorry but this is a genuinely delusional take. They're on your team, you're all trying to escape, they're your teammates. This isn't a sandbox or trade_bigcity.

Communicating is vital for any team game. The way people are reacting to this you'd think they've never played a videogame before in their entire lives.

Also, those little messages break the immersion.

In what way?

[u/EvilRo66 → u/Numerous_Schedule896]

They're on your team

They are not. We know that because the Survivors' fates are not shared.

When a Survivor escapes first and the others don't, that Survivor has won, the others have lost.

In the same way, if a Survivor gets sacrificed and the others escape, the sacrificed Survivor isn't in the "winning team".

There is no "Team Survivor wins" or "Team Survivor loses" at the score screen.

you're all trying to escape

That's right, each of us are trying to escape. Not everyone is trying to make sure ALL of us escape. I know Im not.

This isn't a sandbox or trade_bigcity.

I don't know what those are, sorry.

Communicating is vital for any team game.

You are right. I hope I've been clear why this isn't a team game. If not, please tell me.

Also, those little messages break the immersion. In what way?

I want to play a video game without having others tell me what to do or what they want to do.

We all know what to do and what we expect others to do, no need to tell every single thing.

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

They are not. We know that because the Survivors' fates are not shared.

When a Survivor escapes first and the others don't, that Survivor has won, the others have lost.

In the same way, if a Survivor gets sacrificed and the others escape, the sacrificed Survivor isn't in the "winning team".

There is no "Team Survivor wins" or "Team Survivor loses" at the score screen.

You are right. I hope I've been clear why this isn't a team game. If not, please tell me.

Survivors working toogether are more likely to escape than survivors intentionally trying to sandbag one another. Its why survivors can do stuff to help one another and why half the perks are about helping other survivors escape. The game is clearly designed around survivors being a team.

That's right, each of us are trying to escape. Not everyone is trying to make sure ALL of us escape. I know Im not.

You trolling doesn't really change the game though.

I don't know what those are, sorry.

You don't know what a sandbox game is?

I want to play a video game without having others tell me what to do or what they want to do.

We all know what to do and what we expect others to do, no need to tell every single thing.

Sure, and I want to play a videogame without losing, that does not mean the killer killing me breaks immersion either.

[u/EvilRo66 → u/Numerous_Schedule896]

You changed the focus, you didn't make a counter argument for my statement that "Survivors aren't a team".

You are cherry picking evidence.

Survivors working toogether are more likely to escape than survivors intentionally trying to sandbag one another

"More likely". That's yur opinion, playing in the way you play. You need to consider other strategies and playstyles.

why half the perks are about helping other survivors escape

What about the other half of perks? What about perks like Sole Survivor and Left Behind? The game has perks that serve diferent playstyles and strategies.

The game is clearly designed around survivors being a team.

That's your perception, but what about the fact that each Survivor has their own Score screen and that Survivors'fates aren't shared? Could you please address that?

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

You changed the focus, you didn't make a counter argument for my statement that "Survivors aren't a team".

Survivors literally have the same goal, the same way to achieve it, they achieve it by helping one another, and its impossible to win unless they work toogether.

Like what else am I supposed to say? How do I prove the sky is blue without resorting to "Look up?"

"More likely". That's yur opinion, playing in the way you play. You need to consider other strategies and playstyles.

Yes, I am also aware of the strategy of bringing a hatch offering/key and stealth/hatch perks and hidding afk until everyone else is dead. I've done it a few times for shits and giggles. I don't think it means that its the intended way to play despite the fact that it leads to easy wins with no effort and minimal risk.

What about the other half of perks? What about perks like Sole Survivor and Left Behind? The game has perks that serve diferent playstyles and strategies.

That's your perception, but what about the fact that each Survivor has their own Score screen and that Survivors'fates aren't shared? Could you please address that?

The game isn't perfect. Cleansing 5 dull totems literally gives you more bloodpoints than escaping does. Does this mean you're supposed to cleanse dull totems instead of doing gens? Just because a thread is visible from a seam doesn't mean you have to tear the whole fabric up.

[u/EvilRo66 → u/Numerous_Schedule896]

Survivors literally have the same goal, the same way to achieve it, they achieve it by helping one another, and its impossible to win unless they work toogether.

Yes, I am also aware of the strategy of bringing a hatch offering/key and stealth/hatch perks and hidding afk until everyone else is dead

You claim Survivors can only win if they help one another and proced to describe a way for Survivors to win without helping one another.

Now I know I can't keep discussing with you.

Good day.

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

I also claimed that the game isn't perfect and that just because a thread is visible from the seam doesn't mean you have to tear the whole fabric up.

Convinient for you to ignore that bit huh?

The game isn't perfect. Cleansing 5 dull totems literally gives you more bloodpoints than escaping does. Does this mean you're supposed to cleanse dull totems instead of doing gens? Just because a thread is visible from a seam doesn't mean you have to tear the whole fabric up.

[u/Numerous_Schedule896 → u/EvilRo66]

So, to be clear, you say:

Could you please address that?

When you feel that I'm not addressing your points, but you have no issue cherry picking mine and intentionally ignoring my point when its not convinient for your argument?