There have been a number of firsts for the Dead by Daylight Killer Design team over the years. The introduction of a third-person perspective for a smaller Killer. A Killer with an AI-controlled bodyguard. A Power that includes a variety of spells. Finding new ways to inflict pain and suffering remains an exciting challenge, and Dracula’s appearance in Castlevania introduces yet another innovation: change shape
The corrupt denizens of the forest serve the Dark Lord, and he can change their forms at will. Players can alternate between Vampire form, Bat form, and Wolf form, each excelling at a different role.
Vampire Form is Dracula’s basic form, with the Flaming Pillar being his primary means of dealing damage to Survivors. The attack can even pass through obstacles, including Pallets and Windows. Wolf Form offers a third-person perspective and limited mobility, but increases your effectiveness in hunting and tracking. Bat Form is Dracula’s stealthiest form, lacking the Terror Radius and the ability to teleport.
Game designer Jason Guzzo was tasked with bringing the iconic character to The Fog and designing a Power that celebrated Dracula’s superhuman abilities. The Castlevania team at Konami Japan were also thrilled to see their iconic character come to life in the game, lending their knowledge and expertise at every step.
“Transformation is an important and unique part of the Dracula experience,” Guzzo explains. “It’s part of who he is, and it’s not necessarily something people focus on.”
Once the team had decided on the direction of the Power, it was time to implement it into the game. Of course, the unprecedented nature of Dracula’s ability posed some design challenges, especially with the animal form. Not to mention the fact that this would be the first time this version of Dracula had transformed into a wolf. Luckily, the Castlevania team was quick to give their approval.
“There are limitations when designing animal characters,” Guzzo explains. “A bat can fly, but due to Dead by Daylight’s balancing, it can’t fly over low obstacles. Unfortunately, that’s a concession we had to make. It took a while to get used to, but we had to stick to our internal rules. Having a character that could fly over any obstacle would completely break the game.”
Building on the foundation of previous chapters, with the introduction of a quadruped character (Alien) and a third-person perspective of Killer (Chucky), the Design Team worked to perfect each of Dracula’s forms.
“Each form is essentially a micro-killer, and we want players to use them however they like, without having to change if they don’t want to,” Guzzo continues. “On the Survivor side, we want to face Dracula like a boss fight, where he can be anywhere at any time with a tool to use against you.”
The Form of the Dark Lord
Dracula’s forms are broken down as follows: Vampire, wolfAnd Bat. “The vampire is basically yours core shape,” Guzzo explains. “He moves at 4.6 meters per second, making him effective in loops and chases. He also has Flame Pillar, which is one of my favorite Killer abilities to use in the game.”
“The Wolf form moves a little slower, but you have enhanced senses and a lightning attack,” he continued. “As Survivors sprint, they’ll occasionally drop a Scent Orb. These Orbs give you information about the direction they’re going, and collecting them will give you a small speed boost. The idea is to simulate a hunt, where a wolf picks up a trail and speeds up.”
“We wanted Bat to be the most efficient form of movement, so it moves very fast – 6 meters per second, with even greater stealth,” Guzzo explains. “To compensate, Bat cannot attack or see Survivors, Scratch Marks, and Pools of Blood. The main reason we did this was to balance the late game, where Bat form is extremely effective at covering both Exit Gates.”
“Bat Form has another great ability, allowing you to teleport short distances, including through Vaults and Pallets,” Guzzo explains. “It also encourages players to consider their options. As a Survivor, taking down a Pallet can come back to haunt you when Dracula gains a new teleportation point. Dracula players will have to grapple with the same decision, as losing a potential teleportation option can hurt you in the long run.”
The end result is a dynamic Power that encourages exploration while providing an immersive experience befitting The Dark Lord. Also worth noting is that the Castlevania icon is designed with both new and veteran Dead by Daylight players in mind.
“When we’re working with a beloved licensed character like Castlevania’s Dracula, we want the skill deck to be relatively accessible,” Guzzo revealed. “That way, fans of the series can use Chapter 1 as their entry point into Dead by Daylight and have a fun experience right from the start. We aim to keep the skill ceiling high, so players who connect with the character can build their skills and find fun ways to progress them.”
Dead by Daylight: Castlevania launches on August 27. This chapter includes a new Assassin, Dracula – The Dark Lord, and a new Survivor, Trevor Belmont.
