'Dead By Daylight' Removes Leatherface Cosmetic Following Blackface Complaints

Developer Behaviour Interactive has announced it intends to remove a number of controversial cosmetics from Dead By Daylight that were inspired by the game's Texas Chainsaw Massacre content.

The Cannibal is a playable character that was introduced to the asymmetrical horror game as part of its 2017 Leatherface DLC. One of this monster's grim abilities allows him to unlock the faces of the game's four original survivors, which he can then wear as frightening skin masks.

One of those four survivors also happens to be a Black woman, Claudette Morel. Critics feel that The Cannibal being able to wear this particular character's skin is a form of blackface, and isn't appropriate.

As PC Gamer points out, it certainly doesn't help that this specific cosmetic has been used to racially abuse Black players in livestreams. The upshot of this is that many in the Dead By Daylight community have been calling for the removal of the mask for some time now - and Behaviour Interactive has finally acknowledged those pleas. As part of the next update, all of The Cannibal's unlockable masks will be removed from the game.

"Members of the community have shared their experiences with people targeting and harassing them while using some of these masks," the studio said in blog post. "These reports were disheartening to hear, and we absolutely condemn this behaviour. We are not comfortable having these masks in the game when they are used as a tool to spread hate. To that end, we will be removing The Cannibal’s unlockable faces in this upcoming Mid-Chapter."

Any players who used The Cannibal before the update is rolled out will be given 6,000 Iridescent Shards (in-game currency) as compensation.

Meanwhile artist Eric Bourdages, the designed the masks, has said on Twitter he's glad they're being removed if players are intent on using them to target other players.

"As cool as it would have been to have an Easter egg for all survivors, the reality of it is there were many players using them in harmful ways," he wrote. "Gamers, no matter the game please treat others with respect."

Featured Image Credit: Behaviour Interactive

Topics: Dead by Daylight