What to expect from the next Dark Pictures anthology game

The An Anthology of Dark Images is back in full swing. After a break of almost four years Directive 8020 entered the picture with a body horror-filled sci-fi story. Directive 8020 marks the beginning An Anthology of Dark Images's second season, and this time some interesting changes are made, at least for her. Developer Supermassive Games has added stealth gameplay to the equation, introducing a rewind mechanic that allows players to experience a branching story in one playthrough. Another big change is that the Curator has taken a step back and lurks in the shadows instead of being a constant presence, at least for Directive 8020.

Changes made in Directive 8020 may be divisive for longtime fans who have been looking forward to a more familiar game, but the chilling space horror adventure still contains many of the core features that An Anthology of Dark Images the games have become so famous. One expected feature is a trailer for the next chapter in the series and Directive 8020 boasts one of the creepiest trailers for the franchise to date. It's really mysterious, but theories have led some fans to believe that the next game is Craven Man. If that's the case, then this in-game teaser is the biggest clue the story could hold.

Guideline 8020: How long to hit

Directive 8020 is longer than previous Dark Pictures games and introduces a full replay system that makes 100% completion much more flexible.

Possible hints for a sample from the film Directive 8020 Craven Man on analogue horror and dark rituals

It is important to mention this Craven Man is just one of five titles that Supermassive Games trademarked before entering Season 2 production. An Anthology of Dark Images fans debated which game was next Directive 8020but a large part of the community believes it Craven Man will be the second chapter of season 2. Anthology of Dark ImagesEaster eggs are a big part of the series, and Directive 8020 raises far more questions than it answers.

According to Directive 8020, players must collect all “Of Death” items. Once they are all found, a trailer will be available in the Directive 8020 bonus content menu.

The trailer doesn't specifically say it's for Craven Man. But it does confirm that any story on the horizon is going to be really creepy. The trailer shows a series of four scenes on a VHS tape, accompanied by a clinical, professional-sounding voiceover. It's not a voice An anthology of dark imagesy's Curator, either, which is even more interesting. While the trailer is only about one minute long, the four segments feature impressive imagery and dialogue:

Anxious deer in the forest – “It starts with noises. Footsteps, knocking.”
A group of hypnotized people slowly walking in a circle – “Phase two. Objects move on their own.”
Levitating woman and occult symbol – “In the third stage, the phenomenon becomes destructive. The presence wishes to be heard.”
A sliding door opens into a dark room with a thin pale hand reaching out from the shadows – “Which brings us to the fourth stage. Communication.”

It's a deeply creepy montage and seems to point to a story centered around some kind of possession ritual. These four stages all sound like hauntings that lead to full blown obsession, but it's not entirely clear yet. Anthology of Dark Images has yet to tackle a horror possession game, so it would be fascinating to see how the developer handles the concept.

This trailer throws a little wrench into past Craven Man theories

Craven ManThe title has led many fans to theorize that it is an inspired story The Wicker Man. For those who are not aware, The Wicker Man is a fantastic folk horror film from the 1970s that revolves around a pagan cult on a remote Scottish island. While no folk horror elements are present in this trailer, there are still plenty of hints of the occult, especially with a strange symbol that briefly flashes on screen. Craven Man being a folk horror game would be incredibly compelling, but the trailer just doesn't have that much punch.

If anything, it's closer to movies like The Conjuring and Ring. There's a strong sense of analog horror that adds to the creepiness. An analog horror game that also includes folk elements sounds really cool, but only time will tell. Of course, there's always the possibility that the scared deer in the trailer's first clip could be a small nod to folk horror. It's also possible that this teaser might not even be a pro Craven Man at all.

The Craven Man's Teaser trailer may actually hint at another game with dark imagery

Faith that Directive 8020The Curator's Secret unlocks the trailer for Craven Man is purely speculation at this point. Supermassive Games has yet to confirm or deny whether fans' instincts are correct or not, and it will likely remain so until the next game is fully revealed.

Every title copyrighted by Supermassive Games prior to Season 2

Directive 8020
Craven Man
Intercession
Winterfold
O Death

Intercession and O Death are as mysterious as Craven Manbut An Anthology of Dark Images Season 1 really teased Winterfold a little. Instead of being hinted at through an in-game trailer, Winterfold is mentioned as a deeper tradition in House of Ashes. End House of Ashes shows two government agents in hazmat suits cleaning up the aftermath, and one notes that the situation is like “Winterfold all over again.” So, Winterfold will almost certainly center around some sort of outbreak or mass tragedy of the like House of Ashes'foreign vampires. Winterfold would also be a prequel to House of Asheswhich takes place in 2003. This is a good time to mention four dates which Directive 8020A hidden user preview reveals: 1988, 2019, 2028and 2029.

From Winterfold would have to take place before 2003, leaving 1988 as the most likely year it is set. If An Anthology of Dark ImagesThe second season follows these dates in order, then it would leave Winterfold next in line place Craven Man. There's no way to know for sure which game from Supermassive Games is on the way next, but it sure looks like it's going to be scary.