Directive 8020 Gets Free Online Multiplayer Update for Up to Five Players on PS5
Supermassive Games has released a free update adding online multiplayer, new outfits and 13 premonitions to Directive 8020: A Dark Pictures Game, which is available on PS5, Xbox Series and PC.
Directive 8020, the sci-fi horror entry in The Dark Pictures series, now has online multiplayer on PS5. Supermassive Games released the free update just ahead of Halloween. Players who wanted to share the story with friends in different places can now do that.
What the update adds
The online mode supports up to five players. Gematsu says it mirrors the game's existing Movie Night Mode, the couch co-op option. Each online player controls a crew member aboard the Cassiopeia and takes their turns on their own screen and device.
Players can mix locations however they like. Gematsu's examples are five people in five separate places, or two in one place and three in another.
Two ways to play together
Custom Mode takes the traditional couch co-op approach online. Everyone picks a character at the start, and you take control when your character is in play.
Round Robin Mode skips character selection. Control passes between players after a set amount of time.
Choice voting
Players can also vote on difficult decisions. On-screen prompts show who has voted for which outcome. The group can follow the majority or break away and vote its own way, then see what wins out.
New outfits and premonitions
The update includes a new customisation DLC. It adds a wardrobe of retro silver space suits for the characters.
It also brings premonitions, a classic Dark Pictures feature, to Directive 8020. There are 13 new collectables scattered through the game. They give a glimpse of a potential future that players can use to inform their decisions.
Platforms and reception
Directive 8020 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC via Steam. Push Square said it was not especially enthusiastic about the game at launch. It suggested online multiplayer might be a more enjoyable way to experience the story. That is the outlet's view, not a verdict we are adding.
What it means for you
If you already own Directive 8020 on PS5, the update is free, so you should be able to try online play without paying extra. Each person you play with needs their own copy of the game, so check that your friends own it before you plan a session. The sources do not say whether crossplay between platforms is supported.
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Quick answers
How many people can play Directive 8020 online?
Up to five players can play together. Each player must own a copy of the game.
Does the multiplayer update cost anything?
No. Both sources describe the update as free. The outfit DLC is included in it.
Can I play with friends in different places?
Yes. The mode is designed so players can connect from multiple locations, in any split of up to five people.
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