Dead by Daylight Debuts First Indigenous Survivor, Shane Wiigwaas, in Chapter 40.5

Dead by Daylight, the Canadian‑made asymmetric survival horror game, will add its first Indigenous character, Shane Wiigwaas, on June 25 2026 as part of Chapter 40.5: The Life Road. The new survivor is an Anishinaabe lawyer from the Glass River First Nation and is voiced by Dallas Goldtooth, a Dakota and Diné actor.

The addition follows a broader trend in the gaming industry toward culturally specific outfits. In the last year, titles such as The Sims 4, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Fortnite have released collections that feature traditional clothing from West Africa, China’s Five Dynasties period, and Mexico’s Day of the Dead, respectively. These collections aim to give players a way to represent their identities through in‑game fashion.

According to the game’s associate art director, Sarah Robinson, “There is a tremendous effect of being able to see yourself represented in media you enjoy.” She added that the design team worked closely with an Anishinaabe consultant to research the construction and meaning of powwow regalia. The character’s outfit includes a beaded vest, floral‑embroidered breechcloth, feathered headpiece, and buckskin moccasins.

Robinson said, “Shane’s community is a huge part of who he is, and this was our opportunity to show the beauty and craftsmanship in the powwow outfits.” She also noted that the team was careful not to copy or infringe on the work of skilled craftspeople, instead focusing on authentic representation.

The Life Road chapter will feature Shane as a survivor who must evade a killer in a world governed by the Entity. The chapter is the first in the game’s nine‑year history to include an Indigenous character, a milestone that Behaviour Interactive has highlighted as part of its goal to make players feel represented and welcomed.

The Anishinaabe are a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States. Their traditional regalia is used in powwows—gatherings that include dance, song, and cultural celebration. Powwow regalia is often highly symbolic, with beadwork and feather arrangements reflecting clan affiliations and personal stories.

Industry data from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media indicates that over 70 percent of respondents consider diverse characters important in games. The inclusion of Shane Wiigwaas aligns with that sentiment and expands the range of representation in mainstream titles.

Robinson also emphasized the broader purpose of fashion in games: “Fashion in games provides players with the same experience that it does in real life. You can explore different identities, moods, or styles that help show off different aspects of who you are.”

Dead by Daylight has been available on Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile platforms since 2016. The game has attracted more than 60 million players worldwide and has released multiple cross‑overs with films and television series. The new chapter will be available on all platforms that support the game.

With the launch of Shane Wiigwaas, Dead by Daylight joins a growing list of games that are incorporating culturally accurate outfits, offering players a chance to express identity while engaging in gameplay. The move is expected to resonate with players who value representation and authenticity in virtual worlds.

The Life Road chapter will be released on June 25 2026, adding a new survivor, new skins, and new lore to the game’s expanding universe.