Chris Avellone, whose name is synonymous with some of the most influential RPGs in gaming history, has delivered a scathing assessment of Dying Light 2—and it doesn’t pull its punches. In a candid interview, the designer revealed that despite his high-profile involvement in shaping the game’s narrative direction, virtually none of his work made it into the final product. What’s more, he’s sworn off collaborating with Techland, the studio behind the franchise, in the future.
The revelation comes years after Avellone’s 2018 E3 unveiling of Dying Light 2, where he pitched a bold vision for a reactive, choice-driven RPG experience. The game was meant to evolve dynamically based on player decisions, with factions, companions, and even the world itself responding to the player’s actions. But according to Avellone, that vision was never realized.
A System That Never Worked
The core of Avellone’s frustration lies in the game’s development process. He described a studio environment where his designs for branching narratives and reactive storytelling were repeatedly ignored unless they aligned with the input of a select few leads. Even then, the implementation was inconsistent, with writers cycling in and out of the project, making it nearly impossible to maintain a cohesive tone or lore. By the time he left, the game had devolved into a linear experience—closer to the original Dying Light* than the RPG he’d envisioned.
Worse, some of the same leads who initially resisted his ideas later admitted their own struggles with the project’s narrative direction, with at least one key figure reportedly leaving their role in frustration. Avellone’s departure wasn’t the only casualty; the creative discord extended beyond him, suggesting deeper systemic issues within the project.
Why It Matters
Avellone’s reputation as a designer who thrives on player agency—seen in games like Fallout: New Vegas and Torment: Tides of Numenera—makes his criticism particularly stinging. His absence from Dying Light 2 isn’t just a missed opportunity for the game; it’s a stark contrast to the studio’s earlier claims about its ambitions. The final product, Dying Light: The Beast, doubled down on linear progression, abandoning the reactive systems Avellone had championed.
For fans of Avellone’s work, this isn’t just about one game. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at how even celebrated designers can be sidelined when creative visions clash with studio priorities. His decision to never work with Techland again underscores the severity of the breakdown—and the toll it took on his willingness to collaborate.
A Career in Full Swing
Despite the sour note, Avellone’s career remains far from over. He’s currently leading a dark fantasy RPG at Republic Games, a project he’s called the most fulfilling of his career—a testament to his ability to bounce back from setbacks. The allegations of misconduct that briefly derailed his career in 2023 were later retracted, allowing him to return to development without the lingering cloud.
As for Dying Light 2*, its reception was mixed at launch, with many players noting its lack of depth compared to the original. Avellone’s now provide a rare, unfiltered explanation for why the game fell short of its promised ambitions—and why, for him, the experience was so damaging that it closed the door on future work with Techland.
