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| Directive 8020 launches May 12, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. |
By Jon Scarr
Supermassive Games has confirmed that its next cinematic horror project, Directive 8020, will launch on May 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Directive 8020 is the next entry in The Dark Pictures anthology, shifting the series away from grounded horror settings and into deep-space survival aboard a failing spacecraft near the alien world Tau Ceti f.
The announcement arrives alongside a new “Comply” pre-order trailer and the opening of pre-orders on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Steam pre-orders are expected to follow at a later date. If you pre-order on console, you’ll get a free Deluxe Edition upgrade while retail stock lasts.
Decisions Start Spiralling Once Trust Breaks
The new trailer pushes paranoia and uncertainty to the front. You’re asked to make calls without solid information, and situations can fall apart quickly once doubt sets in. Every choice carries weight, and nothing clearly signals which option will turn out safe.
In one scene, you step into Cooper’s role as the ship’s medic, deciding whether to open a sealed door for a crewmate who may no longer be human. In another, two identical versions of the ship’s engineer appear at the same time, forcing a choice about who’s allowed back into the crew. Pick wrong, and someone doesn’t survive.
That pattern repeats throughout Directive 8020. Decisions are made in the moment, with limited context, and the story changes based on those calls instead of steering you toward a single outcome.
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| A close-up moment during Directive 8020 highlights the game’s focus on personal decisions under pressure. |
Revisiting Choices Without Rewriting the Story
Directive 8020 introduces Turning Points, a new feature that allows key moments to be revisited after the fact. You can rewind to earlier decisions to explore alternate outcomes or uncover paths they missed the first time through.
For those who prefer the traditional Dark Pictures approach, Survivor Mode removes rewinds entirely. In that mode, every death remains permanent, and choices cannot be undone.
Leaving the Ship Changes the Scope
The trailer also teases on-planet gameplay, marking the first time the anthology has shown extended sections outside confined interiors. The harsh alien environment of Tau Ceti f becomes part of the experience, expanding the setting beyond the spacecraft itself.
The preview confirms Lashana Lynch in the role of pilot Brianna Young, with the trailer set to the track “Comply” by Brighton-based band Blood Red Shoes.
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Crew movement and shared spaces play a central role in Directive 8020’s sci-fi setting. |
Launch Details and Post-Launch Plans
Directive 8020 launches with single-player and local couch co-op modes for up to five players. Online multiplayer is planned as a free post-launch update.
Pre-orders that include the Deluxe Edition upgrade add cosmetic and bonus content, including:
- The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack
- The Dark Pictures Collectables
- Cinematic Filter Pack
- Digital Soundtrack
- Digital Artbook
Supermassive Games says more details will be shared closer to launch. Directive 8020 arrives on May 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
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