Supermassive Games has carved a niche out for itself over the past two console generations, beginning with 2015’s Until Dawn and culminating in their latest self-published interactive-horror Directive 8020. While their most recent release failed to meet past studio highs (leading to a number of lay-offs), the team are continuing to build upon the game, detailing and releasing a free update to Directive 8020 which brings with it full support for online multiplayer.
Making the announcement via a press release, the team at Supermassive Games detailed and subsequently launched its new major update for the interactive horror experience Directive 8020. Supporting up to 5 players, this new online multiplayer mode mirrors that of the game’s local ‘movie night mode’ in which each player takes control of one of Directive 8020’s 5 main characters.
Alongside this, the update also offers a couple more different ways to play, including a ‘Round Robin Mode’ (where-in players will instead have a set amount of time to play before switching over), as well as an optional group voting selection for some of the game’s tougher choices.
In a welcome move, the online multiplayer experience has been designed to be quite flexible, with Directive 8020 supporting all manner of set-ups – meaning “any multiple of up to five people can play in any location”. That being said, all those who do play online will have to own a separate copy of the game (so unfortunately there is no ‘friend pass’ option).
In terms of new additions to the game itself, Supermassive Games have brought in their ‘classic Dark Pictures feature’ of collectible premonitions which can offer insight into future potential choices. Last but also least, the update brings with it some added customisation in the form of retro silver space suits.
As mentioned, Directive 8020 failed to make a big splash upon its initial release back during the Summer – peaking at a concurrent player count of just 3072 on Steam while amassing overall mixed reviews. Whether this latest update will change anything in this regard remains to be seen, but it is encouraging to see Supermassive at least trying to bring added value to the overall package.
KitGuru says: Did you check out Directive 8020 back during launch? How does it compare to the studio’s past output? Is this update too little too late? Let us know down below.
