June 18, 2026. A decade in, most live-service games are coasting. Dead by Daylight just did the opposite - it set a brand-new all-time concurrent player record during its 10th-anniversary celebrations, powered by one of horror's most iconic villains finally crossing the fog.
The record, by the numbers
According to Steam concurrent-player tracking on SteamCharts, Dead by Daylight reached an all-time peak of 125,059 concurrent players, beating its previous record of 120,430 set back in June 2025. For a game that launched on June 14, 2016, climbing to a new high in year ten is the kind of curve almost no multiplayer title manages.
Why now? The 10th anniversary and Jason
Behaviour Interactive went big for the milestone. On the official anniversary site, the studio described a real-world celebration:
"On June 14th, 2026, we're bringing the Dead by Daylight community together in Montreal's Old Port for a one-day anniversary event featuring dev panels, reveals, meet-and-greets, gaming stations, an Art of Dead by Daylight mini-expo, the Year 10 Anniversary Broadcast and plenty more."
You can see the full rundown on the official 10th Anniversary site, which features Jason Voorhees of Friday the 13th fame front and center in the Year 10 content. After years of fan demand, the Camp Crystal Lake slasher joining the roster is exactly the kind of headline crossover that pulls lapsed players back in - and the numbers show it worked.
How cheap is it to jump in?
This is the best part for newcomers: the barrier to entry is tiny. Dead by Daylight is currently tracking at just $4.14 for the base game at its cheapest store - near the lowest it has ever been. Ten years of maps, killers, and survivors for roughly the price of a coffee is an easy recommendation, especially with the player count at an all-time high (so matchmaking is fast).
| Game | Lowest price (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dead by Daylight (PC) | $4.14 | Base game; DLC sold separately |
Just note that licensed chapters (Jason included) are typically paid add-ons on top of the base game, so factor those in if a specific killer is your reason to play.
Should you buy in now?
Yes. With the population at a record high, queues are healthy, the anniversary content is fresh, and the base game is around $4. If you've ever been curious about the asymmetric-horror genre that DBD basically defined, this is the cheapest and liveliest it has been in a decade.
FAQ
What is Dead by Daylight's all-time player record?
125,059 concurrent players (SteamCharts), beating the prior peak of 120,430 from June 2025.
When did Dead by Daylight launch?
June 14, 2016 - making June 2026 its 10th anniversary.
How much is Dead by Daylight on PC?
Around $4.14 for the base game at its cheapest tracked store. Compare every store and set a free price alert.
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