The Curtain Closes on Project T: A Studio's PIVOT in the Gaming Landscape

Video games are a fast-moving industry, and in every game studio there are hard decisions to make about what to pursue, and what to put on the ‘back burner’. Recently, a decision in one of those studios received widespread attention and a notable amount of discussion from the games community. Behaviour Interactive is a studio known for its games and community involvement. They recently announced the cancellation of Project T, a game that was to be a co-op title that expanded upon the universe of Dead by Daylight, one of their games. This article explains what happened, how the studio handles its decision making process, and what increased community response to this cancellation says about game design and community engagement.

The Unveiling and Unraveling of Project T

Behaviour Interactive first generated buzz among its fan base when it teased Project T, a new left-for-dead game that promised to get players’ adrenaline pumping for the first time with the popular horror game Dead by Daylight, in a co-op setting. The studio had set out to expand the narratives and mechanics of its established world.

Feedback Fuels the Fire of DECISION-MAKING

What set Behaviour Interactive apart in development of Project T was its use of the Insiders Program, which got direct feedback from the studio’s most active players. After the playtesting round in July, Behaviour Interactive pored over all of the feedback, weighing it against its internal risk assessments. Though stakeholders within the game’s major player base apparently liked it, the overall feedback pointed them down a surprising path.

The Strategic Withdrawal from Project T

Just before the event, Behaviour Interactive announced the end of Project T in a blog post. ‘Out of an absolute desire to be transparent with you,’ the studio wrote: We conducted a thorough analysis of all aspects of the product [Project T] to ensure it would check off all our internal quality standards (on both product and commercial sides), and unfortunately we had to conclude that we would not be able to achieve the level of success we strive for.

Expanding Horizons Beyond the Familiar

And yet, despite this cancellation, potential of Project T was clear: the game was to ‘bring new characters, gameplay and settings’ to the brand while simultaneously chanelling what fans of Dead by Daylight hold most dear. In Behaviour Interactive’s attempt to ‘mash-up the familiar and the new’, we witness the commitment of a studio to upholding their franchises while also experimenting with gameplay and fiction.

A Glimpse Into Studio Innovation and RISK-TAKING

There the story of Project T ends, but it’s a good illustration of the spirit of experimentation that characterises the studio. Behaviour Interactive’s willingness to take its community into its developmental process reflects a wider movement towards open and collaborative methods for game production. While this approach might seem risky, it provides a better chance of creating games that are not only technically competent, but also resonate with a community of players.

Looking Ahead: The Future Endeavors of the Studio

Now that Project T is on the shelf, what does the future hold for Behaviour Interactive? The studio clearly remains committed to fleshing out the Dead by Daylight universe – the Castlevania chapter, released in January, is just the latest example of its gift for providing fresh content for its fans. This kind of flexibility and foresight in game design bodes well for the studio’s success as it embarks on new projects.

Nurturing a Legacy While Embracing Change

With the cancellation of Project T, the studio stands on the threshold of either preserving its past or writing a new chapter: the delicate balance between innovation and deference to fan-favourites will find itself tested in the months ahead as Behaviour Interactive looks to the future. From start to finish, the evolution of gaming requires us to both revere the past and to step into the unknown.

Embracing the Studio's Creative Vision

Behind that ethos sat Behaviour Interactive’s determination to constantly innovate in the games industry. The short life of Project T is just one small part of a much longer tale of resilience and agility in a studio that constantly looks to engage gamers and leave a lasting impression. The watchful ear for feedback and foresight also curated a curatorial sense of Behaviour Interactive’s past, present and future.

The Studio's Legacy and Promise

Behaviour Interactive is an example of creators flexing their muscles to entertain the gaming world. Its penchant for community involvement and calculated risk-taking will be looked to by other studios to replicate. Behaviour Interactive is here to stay, and their ambition will be met with excitement from fans and gaming titans alike.

About the Studio

Meanwhile, Behaviour Interactive is one of a small number of studios building complex, fresh play experiences year after year. Its signature game Dead by Daylight has taken hold of an extremely broad global player base since its release in 2016, and it’s paved the way for the studio to take yet more chances. Just because their initial game was successful doesn’t mean that Behaviour Interactive wants to rest on its laurels and simply replicate the formula. Instead, the studio’s ability to evolve and grow remains full steam ahead.