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The Dark Pictures: Directive 8020 is almost here and players are getting ready to board Cassiopeia for Supermassive Games' latest sci-fi horror experience. Since the game is launching globally on consoles and PC, the exact unlock time will vary depending on your region and platform. If you plan to start playing as soon as the game is unlocked, this guide covers the official Directive 8020 release times across all major time zones.
Directive 8020 Hands-On Preview: Something Else Is Onboard
GameRant went hands-on with Directive 8020, Supermassive Games' upcoming fifth Dark Pictures entry and the series' first emphasis on direct control.
When is directive 8020 released? (Countdown of release times)
The Dark Pictures: Directive 8020 lets go 12 May 2026 at 14:00 UTC on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This is the exact release time based on an official post by directive 8020 X (formerly Twitter) account. You can find a full breakdown of the game's release times for different regions and time zones below, including a smart countdown timer to help you quickly figure out the time left until release.
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|
Region/time zone |
Release times and dates |
|---|---|
|
Los Angeles, USA (PDT) |
07.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
New York, United States (EDT) |
10:00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Brazil (GRT) |
11:00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
United Kingdom (BST) |
15.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Germany (CEST) |
16:00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Russia (MSK) |
17.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
United Arab Emirates (UTC+4) |
18.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Pakistan (PKT) |
19.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
India (IST) |
19:30 on 12 May 2026 |
|
China, Singapore, Hong Kong (CN) |
22:00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Japan (JST) |
23.00 on 12 May 2026 |
|
Australia (AEST) |
12:00 on 13 May 2026 |
|
Auckland, NZ (NZST) |
02:00 on 13 May 2026 |
Frequently asked questions for Directive 8020
Does Directive 8020 have Multiplayer or Couch Co-op?
Yes, the game will include one 5 player offline couch co-op mode via the recurring 'Movie Night' mode. A full-fledged 5-player online co-op mode will be added to the game as part of a free post-launch update.
Is directive 8020 coming to Xbox Game Pass?
The Dark Pictures: Directive 8020 will not be coming to Xbox Game Pass at launch. However, it may join the Game Pass catalog after a period of 6 to 12 months.
Can you rewind choices in Directive 8020?
The game has a new feature called “Turning Points”, which is coming allow players to instantly rewind a decision to obtain their preferred narrative outcome. However, this feature will be part of Explorer mode (play style) and will not be available in Survival mode, where your choices are locked.
What are the bonuses for Directive 8020 pre-order or Deluxe Edition?
Players can pre-order Directive 8020 to download the Deluxe Edition of the game absolutely free. The Deluxe Edition will include the following set of extra content.
- Dark Pictures Outfit Pack
- Bonus Mission: The Dark Pictures Heirloom Retrieval (collectible)
- Cinematic filter pack
- Digital art book
- Exclusive soundtracks
- Released
-
May 12, 2026
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
