Dead by Daylight Devs Explain Chucky’s Exit From Stores and Says Horror Icons Removed Due to Licenses Have ‘Open Invitation’ to Rejoin

Dead by Daylight developer Behaviour Interactive has responded after confirming Chucky would be removed from stores last week, explaining that horror icons will “continue to have an open invitation to join (or rejoin).”

There was a bit of confusion amongst fans when the studio behind the hit asymmetrical horror game announced Chucky as the latest icon to leave its roster. Following the removal of Pinhead last year and Michael Myers just months ago, fans were sad to see another Killer exit stores so soon.

However, it’s ultimately not up to Behaviour when it comes to the date some franchises may depart. In a statement sent to IGN, Behaviour said that, while its “goal is always to keep licenses” in Dead by Daylight forever, that can’t always be the case. That’s why, “despite our best efforts,” Chucky and others have left and could continue to leave in the future.

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No one wants to see Dead by Daylight’s staggering roster of Killers and Survivors shrink for any reason, especially when Behaviour has consistently delivered variety in the decade since its launch. Unfortunately, that’s what will happen come November 24, 2026, when the Chucky Chapter is made unavailable to purchase.

The upside, as Behaviour made clear in last week’s announcement, is that anyone who purchases the possessed killer doll and any of his accompanying cosmetics will have the freedom to use them beyond the cutoff date. It means that, while Chucky may show up in fewer lobbies over time, he’ll never truly be gone.

It’s something Behaviour made sure to reiterate in its statement to IGN, reassuring fans that “Dead by Daylight will always be gaming’s House of Horror.” This means that, even when licenses expire, the Child’s Play, Halloween, and Hellraiser franchises will always have the same invitation to enter the Fog that newcomers have. You can see the studio’s full statement on Chucky’s exit below.

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“As with all live service games, players can expect regular updates, new content, and occasional changes over time,” Behaviour said. “Our goal is always to keep licenses in our game forever. When they have to go away, it’s because – despite our best efforts – it wasn’t possible to retain them.

“We want to reassure our community that Chucky will remain part of the Dead by Daylight experience for existing owners. Players who already own The Good Guy, his perks, or any associated cosmetics will still be able to use that content after November 24, 2026.

“Dead by Daylight will always be gaming’s House of Horror, and horror icons will continue to have an open invitation to join (or rejoin) us in the Fog.”

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It’ll be painful to see one of Dead by Daylight’s more unique Killers leave the Fog, but a return is definitely not off the table. One of the more famous examples of an IP leaving and eventually coming back was Stranger Things and its playable Demogorgon, which was removed from stores in November 2021 before being added back in November 2023.

For now, there’s no telling when Chucky and Child’s Play may return. Meanwhile, we recently found out that Terrifier’s Art the Clown would enter the fray starting next month. Friday the 13th’s Jason was added in June. For more, you can check out everything Behaviour announced during its 10th Anniversary Broadcast over the summer.