[Interview] "Dead by Daylight" New Chapter "Sinister Grace": Developer Shares the Fear Injected into Gasu and Respect for the Thai Community
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/333/G033338/20251020002/
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Noguchi | 2025/10/20 02:32 (UTC)
From October 16 to 19, the Behaviour Interactive booth at “gamescom Asia × Thailand Game Show 2025” held in Bangkok, Thailand, featured the latest chapter of the company’s flagship asymmetric horror game, “Dead by Daylight” (DBD) — titled “Sinister Grace”. As this new chapter had only just been released on September 24, it drew large crowds of fans each day.
The “Dead by Daylight” booth included play stations and a display of Gashu, which also served as a photo spot. Thumbnail image No.008 / Interview: New Chapter “Sinister Grace” of Dead by Daylight – Developers Discuss the Fear Embedded in Gashu and Respect for the Thai Community Thumbnail image No.009 / Interview: New Chapter “Sinister Grace” of Dead by Daylight – Developers Discuss the Fear Embedded in Gashu and Respect for the Thai Community
The new chapter introduces a new killer inspired by a monster from Thai folklore, “The Krasue” (Gashu), and a new survivor, “Vee Boonyasak”, a Thai drummer. This marks the first time DBD has created a chapter deeply rooted in Thai culture, sparking significant resonance among the Thai player community.
On October 18 during the event, 4Gamer had the opportunity to interview Dave Richard, Creative Director at Behaviour Interactive (hereafter Mr. Richard), and Mathieu Cote, Head of Partnerships (hereafter Mr. Cote). We explored why they chose Thai folklore as a theme, how cultural sensitivity was addressed in development, and how Gashu’s dual nature in gameplay came to be.
4Gamer:
Thank you very much for your time today. To start, why did you choose the Krasue monster as a theme for this chapter?
Mr. Richard:
First and foremost, because the creature is genuinely remarkable. We wanted our killer to have intense violent visuals — it was a perfect fit.
But more importantly, since DBD launched in 2016, one of the most passionate communities supporting us has been from Thailand. So we felt compelled to create a chapter centered on Thai culture as a gesture of appreciation for them.
4Gamer:
How did you conduct research into Thai culture?
Mr. Richard:
We gathered as much information as possible online, watched Thai films, and referenced other games. But the most crucial part was working directly with local experts. We brought in consultants to review all aspects we were creating — costumes, storylines, facial designs — ensuring everything was accurate and respectful.
4Gamer:
What are some key differences between Thai folklore and Western folklore?
Mr. Richard:
One fascinating aspect of Krasue is that any woman can become cursed and turn into this monster, regardless of background. In our version, we tell the story of an opera singer — her beauty and enchanting voice contrasted with the horror she becomes when transformed. This duality directly influenced how she appears visually and sounds in-game.
By day, she’s a talented, beautiful opera star captivating audiences; by night, she drifts through town as a floating head, preying on human flesh. This contrast between beauty and grotesqueness is at the core of this killer.
4Gamer:
How did you design her two forms — human and floating head?
Mr. Richard:
That was actually quite interesting. Traditionally, Krasue transforms into a floating head at night and stays that way. However, during early testing with players, we found they really loved the idea of body separation and the visceral gore it created — shocking survivors in an impactful way.
So we decided to keep this element and even make it a highlight. The duality of our character is essential; it’s one of what makes her unique.
4Gamer:
Why did you decide to make Krasue a singer, specifically an opera singer?
Mr. Richard:
While researching Thai culture, we considered various art forms — but music stood out as especially compelling. We already had Vee, our new survivor, who’s a modern rock drummer in a punk band.
So we asked: how can the killer side reflect traditional musical elements? Using voice and opera made perfect sense to us.
4Gamer:
Could you tell us more about the new survivor, Vee?
Mr. Richard:
Vee is the drummer for the Thai punk band “Axekick,” a modern rock musician. She incorporates samples of traditional music into her own songs — and it’s during this process that she discovers the voice known as Broong, which is actually Krasue.
4Gamer:
When did you first begin conceptualizing the connection between Vee and Gashu (Broong)?
Mr. Richard:
Actually, it’s been in our minds for years — yes, this idea has been part of our inspiration for a long time.
4Gamer:
Could you elaborate on the contrast in their story?
Mr. Richard:
In the narrative, Vee uses traditional songs and instrument samples to enrich her modern music style. When she discovers Broong’s voice, she finds it truly unique — so much so that she wants to incorporate it into her band’s songwriting. That act triggers Krasue’s curse. It was a moment where tradition meets modernity, past collides with present.
4Gamer:
What has been the reaction from Thai players toward this chapter?
Mr. Richard:
So far, very positive. They appreciate that we’ve portrayed their culture and folklore monster in a respectful way — the feedback has been excellent.
Mr. Cote:
Several people have told us, “I saw myself reflected in your game.” That always means a lot to us.
Mr. Richard:
Yesterday, one woman spoke about Vee’s traditional-style outfit available in-game. She said, “The presentation is outstanding — it looks authentic. The decorations and patterns are accurate.” Hearing that truly made us happy.
4Gamer:
Are there plans to explore other Asian regions in future chapters?
Mr. Richard:
Yes, we want to travel the world, and of course, Asia is full of fascinating monsters and folklore we’d love to explore.
Mr. Cote:
There are incredibly cool stories everywhere. We aim to discover them and share with players worldwide. That’s key — while this story holds deep personal meaning for Thai players, it also offers people around the world a chance to experience a new horror tale. And that’s wonderful too.
4Gamer:
Could you tell us about the Thai artists and creators involved in development?
Mr. Cote:
The entire character art was created by Song, a Thai artist. He was here yesterday and will be back tomorrow. Today, another creator from Thailand is also meeting with our community.
Mr. Richard:
We should mention the singer too — she’s truly exceptional. She’s a renowned Thai opera singer holding a PhD, named Organ. She provided the voice for Gashu when in human form — her voice is absolutely incredible.
4Gamer:
What was the most important element in designing Gashu’s visual appearance?
Mr. Cote:
Gore! Gore, gore, gore. But equally vital was faithfully representing Thai traditional influences.
Mr. Richard:
When our studio team discussed how much gore was needed for this character, we realized it would be a challenge — we hadn’t pushed visual expression this far before. We were determined to achieve an effective look that truly worked. That became one of our core principles.
4Gamer:
Were the voice and facial model also created by Thai individuals?
Mr. Richard:
Yes, all voices are from Thai people. For the face, we didn’t use a direct photo — instead, it was inspired by and drawn based on input from Thai artists.
4Gamer:
What kind of experience do you hope players take away from this chapter?
Mr. Cote:
Fear. Making them uneasy — that’s our goal.
Mr. Richard:
Everything we do celebrates horror. Players can feel fear, or they might delight in the gore. Since we all love horror, we want them to feel exactly that way too.
4Gamer:
Finally, any message for Japanese players?
Mr. Richard:
We’re truly grateful for your support over the years. The Japanese community means a lot to us.
Mr. Cote:
Dave and I have visited Japan several times — we’ve personally felt the passion firsthand. Thank you for being with us.
4Gamer:
Thank you very much.
Mathieu Cote (left) and Dave Richard (right) Thumbnail image No.010 / Interview: New Chapter “Sinister Grace” of Dead by Daylight – Developers Discuss the Fear Embedded in Gashu and Respect for the Thai Community
What stood out most during the interview was the repeated emphasis on “respect” by Mr. Richard and Mr. Cote. It became clear that they invested enormous effort into collaborating closely with local consultants and artists to ensure culturally accurate, respectful representation of Thai folklore.
Additionally, the fact that Thailand’s community has passionately supported DBD since its 2016 launch served as a major motivation behind this chapter. This wasn’t just about choosing a theme — it was an expression of gratitude for years of support.
“Sinister Grace” acts not only as a horror experience pushing gore and body horror to extremes but also serves as a cultural bridge, introducing Thai folklore to players worldwide. Like Gashu’s duality, the chapter embodies contrasts: beauty vs. terror, tradition vs. modernity, locality vs. universality — these are at its heart.
DBD plans to continue exploring folklores and cultures from around the world. Who knows what terrifying tale will emerge next from the misty woods? We can’t wait.