Supermassive GamesDirective 8020 is the first chapter in the second season of The Dark Pictures Anthology. Here’s everything we know about the horrifying trip to deep space.
Directive 8020 was teased at the end of the last Dark Pictures game, The Devil in Me. The upcoming entry will be the first chapter of Season 2 of the anthology and will shift the setting to space for a sci-fi twist on the survival horror narrative adventure we’re used to from the Supermassive team.
While every chapter of The Anthology is separate from the last in the franchise, they each share similar themes and gameplay mechanics. Here’s everything we know about Directive 8020 so far.
Directive 8020 release date delayed to 2026
Directive 8020 releases in the first half of 2026. It was originally set for October 2, 2025, but has been delayed following layoffs at Supermassive Games.
After confirming that up to 36 colleagues could be made redundant in an X/Twitter post on July 22, they said, “We remain focused on our upcoming projects and have made the decision to move the launch of Directive 8020 to the first half of 2026.
“The response to the game so far has been fantastic, and this additional time will help us deliver the very best experience for our fans. We’re deeply grateful for the patience and support of our community.”
Platforms
Directive 8020 will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. This makes it the first Dark Pictures game not to release on last-gen consoles.
Story and setting
As one should expect from a Supermassive title, Directive 8020 will be filled with murder, danger at every turn, and some devastating consequences should players make the wrong decisions while playing the game.
Related
As revealed in a PlayStation Blog post, the official synopsis of Directive 8020 reads as follows:
Supermassive Games“Earth is dying, and humankind is seeking a new home in the stars…The crew awakens from their four-year hypersleep to a hull breach, a murder, and some extremely suspicious crew activity – all of which culminates in the ship crash landing on the planet.”
After the ship crashes, the crew realizes an alien presence is perfectly mimicking them, meaning they don’t know who’s friend or foe. Think The Thing in space.
Cast
Supermassive GamesWe only know a handful of cast members so far:
- Lashana Lynch as Brianna Young
- Danny Sapani as Commander Nolan Stafford
- Lotte Verbeek as Laura Eisele
- Philip Arditti as Josef Cernan
- Jess Khan-Lee as Samantha Cooper
- Kathryn Wilder as Zoe Anders
- Colin Bates as Noah Mitchell
Hollywood star Lashana Lynch, who plays Maria Rambeau in the MCU, voices ‘Young’ with Elizabeth Peace providing motion capture.
Gameplay
Supermassive GamesDirective 8020 will introduce multiple new gameplay mechanics to the Dark Pictures Anthology series. These new tools are required to discover secrets, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies as they emerge.
Each character will be equipped with a utility strap situated on their wrist. One such item that can be controlled from the item is a shoulder-mounted flashlight; the devs implore players to use this light with caution as “the aliens can spot the beam.”
A scanner will be at your disposal to detect electronics and remotely active systems onboard. Moreover, this device can also be used to “communicate and strategize with your crewmates from afar.”
The final new mechanic in Directive 8020 revealed so far is the “wedge tool.” This item can be used to open doors, but “as a last resort,” it also can stun the aliens and provide the opportunity to flee from danger and avoid death.
Directive 8020 also introduces the new Turning Points story tree, which lets you rewind decisions to “Uncover multiple endings, unlock hidden paths, and save your crew from their fateful deaths.”
Trailers
The first look at Directive 8020 was the short cinematic teaser that was revealed after The Devil in Me credits rolled:
The first main trailer was released at Gamescom 2024:
The next big trailer revealed for Directive 8020 was during the February PlayStation State of Play showcase.
We’ll be sure to update this article when we know more. In the meantime, check out the most anticipated games for 2025 and our full release calendar.