19th October 2026 | Guildford, UK | Supermassive Games today launches an online multiplayer mode via a free update for its sci-fi survival horror adventure, Directive 8020. Gather a group of up to five players online across separate or shared locations, and board the Cassiopeia, each taking control of a different character. Work together (or don’t!) to survive alien mimics, deadly dilemmas, and catastrophic system failures.
Survive Together, Or Don’t
The new online multiplayer mode allows up to five players - (each must own their own copy of the game) - to connect across multiple locations and experience the gripping story that unravels in space, together. Mirroring Directive 8020’s Movie Night Mode couch co-op experience, each online player takes control of a crew member aboard the Cassiopeia, taking their turn directly on their own screen and device. Features include:
- Custom Mode: The traditional couch co-op experience, brought online. Choose your character at the start, and when your character is in play, you’re up!
- Round Robin Mode: No character allocation but instead, there’s a set time between each player change.
- Choice Voting: Don't fancy making a difficult decision on your own? On-screen prompts reveal who has voted for an outcome and which way they cast their vote. Follow the majority or break ranks and go your own way!
- Mix & Match Your Online Experience Geographically: Any multiple of up to five people can play in any location: 5 people in 5 separate locations, 2 in one, 3 in another, it’s entirely up to you!
- New customisation DLC - In addition to the multiplayer release, we are also including a new wardrobe for the characters, some rather fetching, retro silver space suits - You may not escape the horrors aboard the Cassiopeia, but at least you’ll look good when being torn apart by a Hunter!
- New Premonitions - The classic Dark Pictures feature is coming to Directive 8020: 13 new collectables scattered throughout the game give a glimpse of a potential future; use them to inform your decisions - Ignore them at your peril!
From wherever you play, stay alert; every choice matters, every mistake can be fatal, and trust no one - not even your friends…
Whether you’re playing as Pilot Brianna Young, medical officer Dr. Samantha Cooper, commander Nolan Stafford, senior mission officer Laura Eisele, or technical engineer Josef Cernan, your decisions can affect the entire game, so choose wisely!
Directive 8020 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam), with single-player, 5-player couch co-op, and online multiplayer available for up to 5 players.
For more information, follow the official channels on X, Instagram, Facebook, or find out more and join the mission at www.directive8020.com.
About Lashana Lynch
Directive 8020 will feature actress Lashana Lynch as the ground-breaking astronaut ‘Young’ in an intense cinematic sci-fi horror narrative. She can be seen starring and the co-EP of the series, The Day of the Jackal with Eddie Redmayne. Previous projects include The Woman King, Bob Marley: One Love, Matilda the Musical and appearances in the MCU's The Marvels, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Captain Marvel. Most notably, Lashana played the first black and female 007 agent 'Nomi' in the latest instalment of the James Bond franchise, No Time to Die.
About The Dark Pictures
The Dark Pictures is a series of stand-alone, cinematic horror games, designed to present a new, terrifying experience with each release. Each game features a brand-new story, setting, and new cast of characters.
About Supermassive Games
Founded in 2008, we are a BAFTA-winning game studio, developing innovative storytelling games. We have released a number of successful titles and are best known for Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology and The Quarry.
© 2026 Supermassive Games Limited. “THE DARK PICTURES”, “DIRECTIVE 8020” and “SUPERMASSIVE GAMES” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Supermassive Games Limited. All rights reserved.