The highly successful open-world horror title, 7 Days to Die, which has sold over 20 million units, has been acquired by Behaviour Interactive, the studio behind Dead by Daylight. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
This acquisition was formally announced across several platforms, including an update posted on Steam by The Fun Pimps, the game’s developer. They reflected on 7 Days to Die’s origins, stating it began with an idea conceived by two brothers during Thanksgiving 2012. Over thirteen years, this initial concept evolved into a phenomenon far exceeding their expectations, boasting over 20 million sales and a dedicated community.
The Fun Pimps expressed their ongoing ambitions for the game, believing its future potential surpasses its current achievements. They clarified that this partnership would bring increased support for 7 Days to Die. While The Fun Pimps will retain leadership in development, Behaviour’s involvement will facilitate team expansion and enable the delivery of even more content and enhancements for the game and its community.
They reassured fans that the core essence of the game would remain unaltered, with their vision, team, and commitment to the community — who have supported 7 Days to Die for over a decade — staying constant. They described the acquisition as merely the next phase in a long journey, expressing excitement for the path ahead.
In a related video statement, co-founder Richard Huenik, one of the originating brothers, elaborated that despite 7 Days to Die’s significant progress, it hasn’t yet reached their ultimate aspirations. He emphasized that realizing their extensive goals for new game content necessitated a collaborative partnership.
Acknowledging potential community concerns, Huenik clarified that the primary motivation was to secure the necessary support and resources to pursue their most ambitious concepts, partnering with a company that shares their passion for the horror genre.
He further asserted that this move was not a relinquishing of control or a departure from their creation. Behaviour Interactive was chosen because of their faith in 7 Days to Die’s potential and The Fun Pimps’ capacity to achieve it, sharing common philosophies on aspects like community engagement and modding. Huenik concluded by reassuring players that the original team is not leaving.
Huenik detailed that the fresh investment would empower The Fun Pimps to grow its art, engineering, design, community, and support departments, allowing them to expand 7 Days to Die according to their vision. A Reddit Q&A session with the 7 Days to Die development team is planned for March 25th.
7 Days to Die initially launched in alpha in 2014, showcasing a significantly different appearance compared to its current state. Its contemporaries then included titles like Project Zomboid, DayZ, and Rust, all of which remain active. Despite not having been re-evaluated since its official 2024 launch, the game maintains a ‘very positive’ overall rating on Steam, indicating strong community approval.
This acquisition also follows Behaviour Interactive’s recent purchase of Red Hook Studios, the developers of the horror-themed Darkest Dungeon, which took place in autumn 2024, further expanding Behaviour’s horror game portfolio.
