Supermassive Games has revealed a new release date for Directive 8020, the latest entry in its Dark Pictures Anthology series. The sci-fi survival horror game will launch on May 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. The announcement comes with a fresh trailer and pre-order availability.
Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and The Quarry, has set a release date of May 12 for Directive 8020, the next installment in the Dark Pictures Anthology. Originally planned for October 2025, the game was delayed last July amid layoffs at the studio. A new trailer accompanies the announcement, highlighting the game's sci-fi survival horror elements, and pre-orders are now open.
The narrative centers on a spaceship crew that crash-lands on an alien world. The survivors face a hostile lifeform capable of mimicking its prey, drawing inspiration from films like The Thing. Players' choices drive the story, such as deciding whether to save a crewmate at personal risk or abandon them, or distinguishing between seemingly identical versions of a person. These decisions could jeopardize the lives of everyone on a dying Earth.
Gameplay includes segments for fighting or stealthily avoiding enemies. Supermassive introduces Turning Points, allowing players to revisit previous decisions for alternate paths, which may help in exploring endings, keeping characters alive, or unlocking achievements. A permadeath mode offers a more traditional survival horror experience without this feature.
Directive 8020 supports solo play or five-player local co-op, suitable for pass-the-controller sessions. Online multiplayer will be added later. The game builds on Supermassive's focus on narrative-driven horror with branching outcomes.