Dead by Daylight is adding a new killer from one of horror gaming’s most iconic franchises: Five Nights at Freddy’s. Revealed during the game’s Ninth Anniversary panel at PAX East, the upcoming chapter will feature Springtrap—known in-game as “The Animatronic”—as the latest killer.
Springtrap, the grotesque fusion of serial killer William Afton and a bunny-shaped animatronic suit, is a standout villain from the FNAF franchise. Although he originally appeared in Five Nights at Freddy’s 3, both Behaviour Interactive and FNAF creator Scott Cawthon agreed he best represents the horror and legacy of the series.
This will be the first time Springtrap is playable in any game. Killer Designer Jason Guzzo, who previously worked on Chucky and Dracula, emphasized authenticity. He immersed himself in FNAF lore, gameplay footage, and fan reactions—especially those from popular YouTubers like Markiplier—to design Springtrap’s abilities and jump scares in a way that feels true to the character.
An extra treat for fans is the inclusion of a legendary skin: The Yellow Rabbit, voiced by Matthew Lillard, who played Afton in the 2023 FNAF movie.
The new map is Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a faithful recreation of the eerie family restaurant from the first FNAF game. Colourful yet sinister, the map balances Dead by Daylight’s open gameplay with the claustrophobic atmosphere FNAF is known for. The design leverages kitchen counters, dining tables, and tight corridors to deliver tense chase sequences while maintaining the essence of the original game’s paranoia.
To ensure players can dive straight into the FNAF content, Behaviour is also introducing a separate matchmaking queue exclusively for the new map—a feature that will be used for future chapters too.
This collaboration is a long-awaited dream for fans. Both franchises grew in popularity thanks to their ability to entertain and scare viewers on streaming platforms. Guzzo calls them “Twitch-bait games,” likening them to interactive horror films that are as entertaining to watch as they are to play.
Dead by Daylight’s Five Nights at Freddy’s chapter will be available soon on the Epic Games Store.