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Friday the 13th: The Game adds single-player mode

Single-player gameplay was one of the game's most oft-requested components, but adding it means a slight delay.

David Craddock

October 13, 2016 2:50 PM

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Successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2015, Friday the 13th: The Game started out as a multiplayer-only title pitting slasher icon Jason Vorhees against four camp counselors. Fans clamored for a single-player mode, and developers Gun Media and IllFonic announced a solo component earlier today.

The single-player mode will feature AI bots, as well as a new playable map and character: Packanack Lodge from Friday the 13th Part 2; and Tommy Jarvis, the protagonist of Friday the 13the: The Final Chapter, A New Beginning, and Jason Lives.

All these additions come at the cost of a slight delay, from fall 2016 to early 2017.

"We want everyone to be assured that coming to our decision to delay was no easy matter, but we believe that the positives far outweigh the negatives," said Gun Media studio head and Friday the 13th co-creator Wes Keltner. "We've been reading day in and day out on our social media feeds that single player and Tommy Jarvis were in such a demand that we couldn't ignore our fans. After securing funding, we're here to tell you that it is a reality and we're making this game even bigger. It sucks that there's a delay, but the wait won't be too long and it's going to offer more for fans in the long-run."

The game will enter beta later this year. Gun Media and IllFonic issued a release plan to Shacknews, included below.

Players who pre-ordered Friday the 13th will receive the single-player portion for free. After October 13, those who have not pre-ordered can expect to pay $40 for a digital copy and $60 for a retail edition.

Friday the 13th: The Game started as an asymmetric multiplayer game, similar to 2K's and Turtle Rock's Evolve. One player controls Jason and stalks four other players, cast as camp counselors, across settings puled straight from Friday the 13th films. Counselors rely on misdirection and quick thinking to stay out of Jason's reach.

Meanwhile, the player in command of Jason pinpoints their location by performing actions that spike their fear levels, such as executing one counselor in front of others. As their fear level increases, players give away their location by making noise. Jason's goal is to slaughter every counselor, while the counselors must work together to escape from their location.

Given the inclusion of bots, it seems the game's single-player component will be identical to its core multiplayer design, albeit against AI instead of humans. Gun Media's press release did not specify whether players will step into the role of Jason or a camp counselor.

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.