Behaviour Interactive, the studio famous for the asymmetric horror multiplayer game Dead by Daylight, is working on Serious Sam: Shatterverse. This co-op roguelite first-person shooter was revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview Showcase 2026. This announcement marks a shift for Behaviour, moving from a game driven by cat-and-mouse gameplay to a fast-paced horde shooter.
Shatterverse takes the Serious Sam name, a franchise that Croteam kicked off in 2001 with Serious Sam: The First Encounter. The series is known for massive enemy numbers, arena-style combat, and a touch of absurd humor—elements that seem to fit well within the roguelite FPS framework Behaviour is aiming for.
Co-op roguelite shooters are a busy genre these days. Deep Rock Galactic has kept a solid player base since its full release in 2020. Meanwhile, Returnal introduced the roguelite concept to a premium single-player FPS in 2021. Shatterverse will need to find its own unique identity in this crowded space. The Serious Sam brand, known for its excess and scale, gives Behaviour a strong starting point.
In fiscal 2023, Behaviour Interactive brought in over $200 million CAD in revenue, mostly thanks to Dead by Daylight‘s live-service model. By taking on an external IP like Serious Sam, the studio is clearly looking to diversify its offerings beyond its flagship title. However, this is a risky move, considering how different these two genres are.
So far, there’s no confirmed release date or pricing details for platforms. The reveal trailer aired during the Xbox Partner Preview Showcase 2026, which confirmed Xbox as a key platform partner. It’s still unclear if the game will be available on Game Pass at launch.
| Franchise Origin | Serious Sam: The First Encounter (2001) |
| Developer | Behaviour Interactive |
| Genre | Co-op Roguelite FPS |
| Behaviour Interactive Founded | 1992 |
| Dead by Daylight Active Players (Peak 2023) | ~105,000 concurrent on Steam |
Initial community feedback to the reveal has been more cautious than negative. The overlap between Dead by Daylight‘s fanbase and Serious Sam’s traditionally PC-focused audience is limited. Some critics on social media have questioned whether Behaviour has the right design experience for a fast-paced shooter. As one commenter noted on the COGconnected coverage, the studio has always excelled in systemic asymmetry, not raw shooting mechanics—and if the gunplay feels off, that gap will become apparent quickly.
What To Watch
- Gameplay footage depth: The reveal trailer showed the tone and branding. However, hands-on previews will reveal if Behaviour has captured the Serious Sam vibe, particularly in terms of enemy density, movement speed, and weapon feedback.
- Game Pass inclusion: Given the Xbox Partner Showcase platform, a day-one Game Pass release seems likely. This would greatly influence how the game performs at launch compared to a standalone $40–$60 price point.
- Behaviour’s pipeline management: The studio is also supporting Dead by Daylight as a live service. Keep an eye on whether Shatterverse development impacts the update pace or content quality of its existing flagship title.
