Supermassive Games has released a free update for Directive 8020: A Dark Pictures Game, adding the long-awaited online cooperative multiplayer mode for up to five players across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series.
This new feature brings the studio's classic couch co-op Movie Night format into online network play, allowing each participant to take command of a crew member aboard the Cassiopeia starship straight from their own screen. To embark on this sci-fi survival horror adventure remotely, every player must own their own copy of the game.
Two ways to coordinate space survival
The online multiplayer component arrives featuring two distinct ways to tackle the interactive narrative. The first option is Custom Mode, a direct adaptation of traditional couch co-op where each user picks their character at the beginning of the match and takes control whenever that crew member is in play.
Meanwhile, Round Robin Mode removes fixed character assignments entirely. Instead, the game establishes a set timer between player handoffs, requiring the group to cycle through control shifts on a rotational schedule regardless of which survivor is currently active on screen.
To navigate high-stakes narrative crossroads without forcing one player to shoulder the burden alone, the update implements Choice Voting. When a tough dilemma arises, on-screen prompts display which outcome each participant is voting for in real time, granting players the freedom to follow the group's consensus or break ranks to choose their own path.
Geographic flexibility is also fully supported in this release. The matchmaking system allows any configuration of up to five players, ranging from five individuals playing from completely separate locations to hybrid setups, such as two players sharing a room while teaming up with three remote friends.
Classic premonitions and retro suits for the crew
Alongside the online infrastructure, the update introduces 13 brand-new collectibles known as Premonitions, one of the defining staples of The Dark Pictures anthology. Scattered across various sections of the Cassiopeia, these visions grant fleeting glimpses of possible gruesome futures, giving crew members vital information to navigate deadly encounters against the alien Hunter creatures.
Finally, the content drop includes a character customization wardrobe featuring retro silver space suits. This aesthetic pack allows the astronauts to explore the ship with a vintage look while fighting for survival against outer space horrors.
The update containing the online cooperative mode, retro space suits, and 13 premonitions is now available as a free download for Directive 8020: A Dark Pictures Game across PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series.