Not simply content to add the devilish Pinhead into the asymmetric multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight, studio Behavior is licensing his model as as NFT. This recent announcement has earned Behavior the anger of its fan base for taking part in an environmentally damaging blockchain technology rife with scams and art theft.
Announced yesterday afternoon, the Dead by Daylight Twitter account announced that they've been working with NFT company Boss Protocol over the last several months to adapt in-game character models to use as NFTs. Buying one of the Pinhead NFTs gives players a chance to gain access to the Hellraiser chapter of Dead by Daylight (released back on September 7,) although the FAQ also claims that no content will be locked behind an Boss Protocol NFT. In addition, buying the NFT will entitle their owners to more NFTs in the future at no additional cost, as will as unlocking Pinhead in future games made by sister company Boss Team Games.
Behaviour worked with Boss Protocol over several months to adapt in-game models for use as NFTs and approved them prior to the release of Pinhead in DbD. The NFTs have a chance to grant access to the #Hellraiser chapter of DbD. pic.twitter.com/3ZZKq3uPYN
— Dead by Daylight (@DeadByBHVR) October 18, 2021
Adding NFTs to a video game is a controversial move that's even drawn criticism from the IGDA, and it's no different here. This announcement has alienated a good chunk of Dead by Daylight's fan base, including some more notable names. Former Dead by Daylight programmer McLean said he was "extremely disappointed to see the game that I love associated with [NFTs]," while Wes Keltner, co-creator of Friday the 13th: The Game, said that "making money at any cost isn't a big motivator for me. It's why we will never sell NFTs based on our games/models."
Some players say they feel they were inadvertently supporting NFTs by playing the game, with some asking for refunds for the Hellraiser chapter. On the game's subreddit, some digging from fans discovered that while Clive Barker, the original creator of Hellraiser, recently got control of the franchise back from Park Avenue Entertainment, he won't officially take the reins until December, making this seem like a cashing out of the license.
This news also brings questions about what will happen to the game on Steam, as it recently announced that they are banning games built on blockchain technology like cryptocurrency and NFTs. Despite being highly controversial, NFTs still manage to find big-name fans such as Animoca Brands (who have raised millions on their blockchain-based games), Square Enix, and SEGA.
Dead by Daylight is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
