Many expected an entirely different third game in the Dying Light franchise, but at The Game Awards 2024, the spin-off Dying Light: The Beast was revealed, and it’s proven to be a big hit for the developer before it’s even released. With fans at a fever pitch to get their hands back on the returning protagonist Kyle Crane, we once again spoke to Franchise Director Tymon Smetkala about the third installment, the history of the franchise, its 10th Anniversary plans, and a whole host of other subjects.
We’re Been Missing Something Looking Us in the Face
To many, The Game Awards trailer showed us exactly what a huge portion of the fans wanted; Kyle Crane, the protagonist from the first game, returning. Many wanted to see his story continue and were surprised when Techland went in a different direction with Dying Light 2: Stay Human. Eagle-eyed fans have poured over the trailer since its release, picking apart the details and wanting to uncover everything before the release of the game, but according to Tymon Smetkala, there is something that keeps getting missed.
Quick to praise those Dying Light: The Beast fans during our interview, Smetkala mentioned one of the biggest secrets the trailer still holds:
Our players have done some impressive detective work, but there are still secrets to uncover – at least that’s my understanding. There’s a small detail hidden in The Game Awards trailer that hints at the general location of Castor Woods on the map. I haven’t seen anyone pick that up yet.
After some prodding, Smetkala did give a little hint to what it could be:
It’s a hidden easter egg for players to discover so I can’t just spill beans so easily, right? But let me just say that there’s a barely visible text in the early part of the trailer written in the dialect which hints at the geographical placement of the Castor Woods area.
Considering “Dying Light: The Beast sets the stage for what’s next, with hints of what’s to come” according to Smetkala, the location is as important a detail as any other in the trailer.
Smetkala also reiterated the 10th Anniversary PR memo that Techland has “multiple unannounced projects” in the Dying Light franchise, so the future is certainly bright for every fan of the zombie franchise, and it’s interesting to see how Dying Light: The Beast fits into the wider narrative.
Dying Light: The Beast doesn’t yet have a release date, but will release on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, see how Wuchang: Fallen Feathers looks to continue Black Myth: Wukong’s dominance, or how Assassin’s Creed Shadow’s new engine will redefine our experience.
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
