Dead by Daylight Mobile is a free-to-play adaptation of Behavior Interactive’s asymmetrical multiplayer horror game, Dead by Daylight. Behavior Interactive collaborated with NetEase Games when a major update occurred in March 2023, implementing new game modes, improved graphics, leaderboards, a battle pass system, and more. Dead by Daylight Mobile has fostered a loyal player base since its release, surpassing 1 million downloads within its first 48 hours on app stores, and reaching 25 million downloads by May 2022

Despite the game’s widespread popularity, fans everywhere were surprised when NetEase announced its upcoming closure. The company’s plans were revealed via posts on the game’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on December 17, 2024, after months of remaining silent on the subject matter. One post states that Dead by Daylight Mobile is officially set to leave app stores on January 16, 2025, and assures players that “the team at NetEase Games is deeply saddened” by the process. The posts confirm that Behavior Interactive will continue to run Dead by Daylight on PC and console. NetEase encourages players to transition to these versions of the game by providing them with a “Welcome Package” full of rewards based on the amount of money spent and experience earned in Dead by Daylight Mobile.

While this has been an extremely difficult decision, we remain eternally grateful for the time you’ve chosen to spend with us in The Fog. Please note that our partners @Behaviour continue to produce, support, and grow @Deadbydaylight on PC and console.

— Dead by Daylight Mobile (@DbDMobile) December 18, 2024

While NetEase encourages enjoyers of Dead by Daylight Mobile to continue from where they left off on PC and console, fans have pointed out that they play the mobile version of the game because they have no access to the aforementioned devices. For many players, the mobile version gives them the opportunity to partake in the game and engage with a community that they would otherwise be entirely closed off too. This is the care for Alexander Azarov from Irkutsk Russia, an avid fan of Dead by Daylight Mobile. He recently began a petition online, urging fellow mobile players to sign and hopefully convince Behavior Interactive and NetEase Games to keep the Dead by Daylight Mobile live.

Azarov begins his plea by sharing how important Dead by Daylight Mobile has become to him after more than two years of playing. In that time, he “found many good friends’ through the game, whom he plays with on a daily basis. With the news that Dead by Daylight Mobile is set to shut down completely in March, he fears that this sense of community will be taken away from himself and fellow players. Having the game available in a mobile format means a lot to Azarov, who was unable to access the game beforehand.

Ever since Dead by Daylight came out in 2016, I wanted to install it, but my computer didn’t allow it. I was very happy that the developers created a mobile version of the game in 2019. Unfortunately, like many of you, I still don’t have a powerful computer that can support Dead by Daylight. Dead by Daylight Mobile allowed everyone to get into the Fog, especially those who don’t have a good computer. So if the game is closed, for me it will be the end of my journey in the world of the Fog.

Azarov concludes his plea by making a direct address to the game’s developers. He asks them to “listen to [their] players” because “not all people in the world have powerful computers.” After reinforcing the sentiment that Dead by Daylight Mobile gives people of all economic classes an opportunity to play, he assures developers that the game can still be saved and has potential.

The online petition has over 3,000 signatures as of yet, with more likely to come. Azarov’s efforts have been mentioned in multiple video game focused websites already, with both Game Rant and ScreenRant publishing articles on the subject. This article marks another, and it’s possible that with enough coverage, NetEase Games and Behavior Interactive might consider continuing the beloved mobile game. Neither of the companies have responded to the petition as of yet, and only time will tell if Azarov’s efforts lead to any significant change.

Anyone interested in supporting the petition can do so here.