It's an exceptionally busy period for dedicated Dead by Daylight enthusiasts, with the ongoing voting for The Grimoire Chapter coinciding with the imminent arrival of a major new crossover event. The community is currently engaged in a fervent countdown to the launch of the highly anticipated second Stranger Things collaboration within the popular asymmetrical horror game.
Return to Hawkins: Chapter 2 Release Schedule
This marks the second occasion the eerie world of Stranger Things has invaded Dead by Daylight, following the initial 2019 partnership that introduced The Demogorgon alongside survivors Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler. The upcoming Dead by Daylight x Stranger Things Chapter 2 promises to significantly expand the experience by introducing a formidable new killer, two additional survivors, several fresh cosmetic outfits, and a wealth of other content. Below, we detail everything you need to know about this exciting update.
Official Release Date and Global Launch Times
The new Dead by Daylight x Stranger Things crossover content is officially scheduled for release on January 27, 2026, across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. The global launch is timed for 5:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For players in other regions, this translates to 9:00 AM Pacific Time (PDT), 12:00 PM Eastern Time (EDT) in the United States, and 6:00 PM Central European Time (CET).
Preceding the content drop, a special developer livestream will be broadcast at 4:00 PM GMT (8:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM EDT / 5:00 PM CET). The event will be streamed live on both Twitch and YouTube. The official Dead by Daylight social media account announced the stream with the message: "Good morning, Hawkins. Tune in on January 27 on Youtube or Twitch at 11AM ET as we dive into the new Stranger Things Chapter coming to Dead by Daylight."
Expanding the Roster: New Killer and Survivors
The latest Stranger Things crossover will enrich the game's roster with two new survivors, a terrifying new killer, and a selection of new character outfits.
The New Killer: Vecna Arrives
Whether you know him as Henry Creel or his monstrous alter-ego Vecna, this iconic Stranger Things villain will be joining the game as the latest Killer. According to the game's developers, Creel possesses the terrifying ability to "bend the world around him" and manifest the "physical presence of the Upside Down." His powers reportedly include the capacity to entrap survivors within a mass of sinister vines and to emerge suddenly from the ground to launch devastating attacks. Survivors affected by the touch of the Upside Down will find themselves more vulnerable to Vecna's formidable abilities.
New Survivors and Cosmetic Outfits
Fortunately, two new survivors are arriving to help combat this new threat. The popular Stranger Things characters Eleven and Dustin Henderson will be added to the survivor roster, each bringing their own unique set of skills and special powers to the trials.
Additionally, fans will be able to purchase brand-new cosmetic outfits for characters Robin Buckley and Eddie Munson from the in-game store. These outfits are confirmed to include original voice lines, adding further authenticity to the crossover experience. As with any major update, players will need to download and install a new patch, which will include the usual array of gameplay tweaks, essential bug fixes, and balance changes.
