Directive 8020 vs Killing Floor 3

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: 2-Player Online Co-op, 5-Player Local/Online Co-op
• Setting: Deep Space / Alien Planet (Tau Ceti f)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: 2026
• Unique Feature: A cinematic sci-fi horror story that introduces a 'Turning Points' rewind mechanic and full third-person stealth/action controls to the series.

• Perspective: First-Person
• Multiplayer: 6-Player Online Co-op
• Setting: Dystopian Future (2091)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Unique Feature: The next-generation evolution of the series' signature brutal co-op wave-based combat, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 with deeper customization.

• Crew Members: The game revolves around five protagonists. In co-op, players control separate characters, making shared decisions and managing inventory together. The enemy's ability to mimic means any companion can become a threat.
  Human (Player/AI)

• Co-op Teammates: The game is built around a team of up to six human players. Teamwork is essential for survival, requiring players to cover each other, share resources (Dosh), and combine their specialist abilities to overcome the horde.
  Human (Player)

• Scanner: A tool housed in the utility strap. Used to scan for electronics or spot the alien entity capable of mimicking crew members.
• Messenger: A utility strap tool used for silent communication between crew members, even when potential alien 'imposters' are nearby.
• The Dark Pictures Heirlooms: Hidden dolls and relics from previous games. Finding them unlocks secrets that connect Directive 8020 to the wider anthology universe.

• Sci-Fi Horror
• Survival Horror
• Body Horror
• Cosmic Horror
• Interactive Drama
• Player Choice
• Paranoia
• Isolation

• Sci-Fi Horror
• Dystopian Future
• Co-op Survival
• Cyberpunk
• Bio-Engineering
• Wave-Based Combat
• Gore
• Action

• Assault Rifles: Automatic Rifles
  Versatile firearms that are effective at most ranges. Includes futuristic versions of classic weapons, now highly customizable with various attachments.
• Shotguns: Close-Quarters Weapons
  Devastating at close range, capable of clearing paths through hordes of smaller Zeds. Includes pump-action, semi-auto, and explosive variants.
• Melee Weapons: Blades, Blunt Objects
  High-risk, high-reward weapons for when the Zeds get too close. The parry system from KF2 returns with refinements.
• Explosives: Grenade Launchers, RPGs
  Weapons designed for maximum area-of-effect damage, ideal for taking down large Zeds like Fleshpounds and Scrakes.
• Specialist Weapons: Flamethrowers, Healing Darts
  Unique weapons tied to specific specialist roles, such as the Firebug's flamethrower or the Field Medic's healing dart rifle.

• Body Armor: A purchasable item from the Trader pod. It provides an extra layer of health that must be depleted before Zeds can damage the player's main health pool. It can be repaired and replenished between waves.

• Cosmetic Customization: A deep character customization system allows players to unlock and equip hundreds of cosmetic items, including different helmets, body outfits, backpacks, and accessories to create their own unique Nightfall specialist.
• Weapon Skins: Players can unlock and apply a wide variety of cosmetic skins and charms to their weapons.

The game does not feature traditional RPG leveling. Progression is narrative and inventory-based. Players find and use key items and gadgets to solve environmental puzzles. The 'Turning Points' system is a key feature, allowing players to 'rewind' pivotal decisions to explore alternate narrative paths, though irreversible 'Survival Mode' is also available.

The classic Perk system returns but has been expanded. Each Specialist (class) has a unique skill tree, allowing for deep customization of abilities and playstyles. A new weapon upgrade system allows players to enhance their favorite guns with new attachments and properties. The in-match economy of earning 'Dosh' to buy better weapons from the Trader pod remains a core part of the gameplay loop.

The game is a linear, cinematic adventure. Locations include the claustrophobic corridors of the crashed starship Cassiopeia and the surface of the hostile alien planet, Tau Ceti f. The game features full, player-controlled exploration, a significant departure from the fixed cameras of previous series installments.

The game features a variety of battlegrounds, from claustrophobic urban environments to sprawling industrial complexes. Maps are designed with the series' signature focus on choke points, verticality, and strategic locations for welding doors and holding out against the horde. The move to Unreal Engine 5 allows for more detailed and destructible environments.

• Brianna Young ('Young'): Playable Protagonist
  The co-pilot of the Cassiopeia and one of the five playable main characters. Portrayed by Lashana Lynch.
• Nolan Stafford ('Stafford'): Playable Protagonist
  The mission Commander and the founding father of the space program, mentoring Brianna Young.
• Laura Eisele ('Eisele'): Playable Protagonist
  The senior mission officer and the architect of the Cassiopeia, known for her cold, rational brilliance.
• Josef Cernan ('Cernan'): Playable Protagonist
  The technical engineer and 'resident philosopher' of the crew, dedicated to living a life he could be proud of.
• Samantha Cooper ('Cooper'): Playable Protagonist
  The medical specialist and sole survivor of a previous tragedy, highly dedicated to protecting life.

• Nightfall Specialists: Playable Characters
  The game features a roster of five specialists at launch, each representing a different class or 'Perk' (e.g., Commando, Support, Field Medic, Berserker, Demolitionist). Each specialist has a unique personality, appearance, and skill tree.
• The Zeds: Enemies
  The bio-engineered horde of monstrosities created by Horzine. Includes returning favorites like the Clot, Gorefast, Stalker, Siren, Scrake, and Fleshpound, all redesigned with new models and attack patterns.
• The Patriarch: Boss
  The iconic and brilliant, yet insane, former CEO of Horzine and creator of the Zeds. He returns as a formidable boss with a new arsenal of futuristic weaponry and devastating attacks.

• Episodic Campaign
  The game is structured into eight, hour-long episodes. The main objective is to guide the five crew members to survive the alien threat and the hostile environment, with the story branching dramatically based on player choices.

• Survival Mode
  The classic Killing Floor experience. Players must survive a set number of increasingly difficult waves of Zeds on a chosen map, earning money to buy better gear between rounds, and culminating in a final, challenging boss fight.
• Objective Mode
  A more structured mode where players must move through a map and complete specific tasks (like defending a point or escorting a VIP) while being constantly assaulted by Zeds.

The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, the 'Dark Pictures Outfit Pack' (iconic outfits from previous games), a 'BONUS MISSION: THE DARK PICTURES HEIRLOOMS RETRIEVAL,' three cinematic filters (60's Black and White, 70's Gritty, 80's VHS), an artbook, and the exclusive soundtrack.

• Q: What is Directive 8020?
  A: It is the fifth installment in The Dark Pictures Anthology, a series of cinematic, interactive horror games. This installment is a sci-fi horror story about the crew of a crashed spaceship being hunted by a shapeshifting alien.
• Q: How is it different from other Dark Pictures games?
  A: It marks a significant evolution for the series, moving from fixed camera angles to full third-person player control. It also introduces deeper gameplay mechanics like real-time stealth, a full inventory system, and the 'Turning Points' system to retry decisions.
• Q: What is the 'Turning Points' system?
  A: It's a major new feature that allows players to 'rewind' to a pivotal decision they have made and retry the sequence, enabling them to explore alternate narrative paths without losing overall story progress.
• Q: Can I play with friends?
  A: Yes, the game supports two main co-op modes: a 2-player online 'Shared Story' mode and a 5-player local/online 'Movie Night' mode.

• Q: What is Killing Floor 3?
  A: It is the third main installment in the co-op FPS series. Players team up in groups of up to six to fight off waves of bio-engineered monsters called Zeds in a dystopian future.
• Q: How many players can play together?
  A: The game supports up to 6-player online co-op.
• Q: What engine does the game use?
  A: Killing Floor 3 is built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5.
• Q: Does Killing Floor 3 have cross-play?
  A: Yes, the game supports full cross-platform play between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

• OFFICIAL PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. These specifications reflect the demands of the Unreal Engine 5 build, which is a first for the series.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop performance will vary based on the model's cooling and TGP. The game's graphically rich world and cinematic presentation will require a powerful gaming laptop.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain stable framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI and physics-based combat.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the game's real-time stealth and action sequences.
• Game Name: Directive 8020

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Killing Floor 3. This information is based on the official PC specifications from developer Tripwire Interactive, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a title built on Unreal Engine 5, the game is demanding, particularly on the CPU for the recommended tier. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks and technical analyses.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. For a fast-paced, horde-based shooter like Killing Floor 3, a laptop with a high-TGP GPU and a robust cooling system is critical to maintain a stable framerate during intense combat.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU may struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, especially when the screen is filled with Zeds and particle effects.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily stress both the CPU and GPU. An advanced cooling solution will be necessary to prevent thermal throttling during chaotic, multi-player sessions.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game's AI and physics for a large number of enemies will be CPU-intensive. A capable laptop CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle these demands without creating a bottleneck.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is vital for a fast-paced first-person shooter.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game officially supports a full suite of upscaling technologies: NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, Intel XeSS, and Epic's native TSR. The official performance targets explicitly mention the use of upscaling to achieve the desired framerates.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title, the game includes advanced graphical features. The optional Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections will have the most significant performance impact. Adjusting these, along with shadows and effects quality, will be key to tuning performance.
• Game Name: Killing Floor 3

• Upscaling Tech: The game officially supports a full suite of upscaling technologies: NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, Intel XeSS, and Epic's native TSR. The official performance targets explicitly mention the use of upscaling to achieve the desired framerates.
• Key Settings Impact: As a UE5 title, the game includes advanced graphical features. The optional Lumen Global Illumination and Reflections will have the most significant performance impact. Adjusting these, along with shadows and effects quality, will be key to tuning performance.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP for the laptop's GPU is essential to handle the advanced graphical features, ray tracing, and maintain stable framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: The game's visually rich world and intense combat will require a laptop with a cutting-edge cooling solution to prevent thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: A powerful multi-core mobile CPU will be critical for handling the complex AI and physics-based combat.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is a critical feature for reducing latency and ensuring the best possible performance in the game's real-time stealth and action sequences.

• G P U T G P: A high TGP is essential. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU may struggle to maintain a consistent 60 FPS, especially when the screen is filled with Zeds and particle effects.
• Cooling Thermals: Unreal Engine 5 can heavily stress both the CPU and GPU. An advanced cooling solution will be necessary to prevent thermal throttling during chaotic, multi-player sessions.
• C P U Power Limits: The game's AI and physics for a large number of enemies will be CPU-intensive. A capable laptop CPU with good power delivery is needed to handle these demands without creating a bottleneck.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is vital for a fast-paced first-person shooter.