Directive 8020 executive producer says the Turning Points system was added for players who 'want to keep everyone alive' but also for 'a big percentage of our hardcore fans' that will replay the game to get all endings

Fail a QTE? Now you'll be able to rewind and try again!

News By Demi Williams Contributions from Lucy Buglass published 28 April 2026

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Threads
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter

• Directive 8020 executive producer Dan McDonald says Supermassive Games was looking to add a rewind feature to its games "for a long time"
• The studio wants to support players who feel discouraged when they can't keep every character alive
• McDonald says Turning Points was also added for players who like to unlock everything

Supermassive Games is aware that fans feel "disheartened" when they're unable to keep every character alive in its Dark Pictures games, which is one of the big reasons upcoming entry Directive 8020 has a new rewind feature.

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming, executive producer Dan McDonald revealed that the game's Turning Points system, which allows players to rewind their decision mid-game, is a feature the team has been looking into "for a long time."

"On our previous games, going all the way back to Until Dawn, but also all the Dark Pictures games, as soon as you make a choice that’s locked in. So if you turn off your console, too late, there’s no save scumming for you. You’re stuck with decisions," McDonald said.

Article continues below

However, with Directive 8020, Supermassive decided to implement a rewind option because it knows many players like the challenge of trying to keep every character alive, but feel discouraged when they fail.

"We know a lot of our players, the first time they play through, they want to keep everyone alive. And it can be really disheartening when you mess up and your favourite character has died," he explained.

"Whilst we want you to experience that loss, in fact, one of my favourite things is making players cry as well as jump, we also want you to play a game that you want to experience.

And so if you want to be able to turn it back and undo it, we want to enable that and let you experience it the way you want."

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors