Behaviour Interactive has removed the in-game content it gave Twitch streamer TheBurntPeanut after his first Dead by Daylight stream sparked a backlash across the game’s community. In a four-part statement published on November 3, the developer explained how the decision was made, acknowledged failures in its internal approval process, and outlined changes to its approach to creator interactions.
The update follows an initial apology on November 1, which acknowledged that a team member had granted the content without appropriate approval. Behaviour has now provided considerably more detail, admitting that it “moved too fast” and that its response to criticism made the situation worse. It also confirmed that the employee involved is facing internal action, although it won’t disclose further details.
Why TheBurntPeanut’s Dead by Daylight Stream Sparked Backlash
The streamer at the center of the controversy is TheBurntPeanut, a popular VTuber known for his animated peanut avatar and streams of games including ARC Raiders, Marathon, and Escape from Tarkov.
On October 30, he streamed Dead by Daylight for the first time. During the broadcast, a member of Behaviour’s team granted him access to the game’s DLC characters and perks, along with other in-game content and currency. The game’s official Twitch account also appeared in the chat, where TheBurntPeanut joked about receiving preferential treatment and offered to give the content back if it caused problems.
The account responded: “WE CAN TAKE THE HEAT! THEY ARE YOURS TO KEEP!” The exchange quickly became the focus of criticism, with players questioning why a newcomer was being given so much content and whether the streamer was an appropriate person for the developer to support.
The reaction was also shaped by controversy surrounding TheBurntPeanut’s previous content. In June 2026, clips from an Escape from Tarkov stream resurfaced showing him using a homophobic slur. The clips circulated again when Fortnite revealed that he would appear as a Sidekick, prompting criticism from players who questioned Epic Games’ decision to include him. Coverage at the time also highlighted his use of the streaming segment title “Slur Saturday.”
Some Dead by Daylight players argued that Behaviour’s decision conflicted with the inclusive community the developer says it wants to maintain. Others questioned the apparent preferential treatment, particularly when smaller creators and established members of the community have sought opportunities to work with the game.
The initial response came through the DbD Pulse community account on November 1. Behaviour explained that unlocking content for creators to preview the game was not unusual, but that this particular decision had been made without the necessary approval.
The developer also admitted that its representative should have investigated the concerns raised during the stream rather than dismissing them: “We should have responded by looking into these concerns, not dismissing them,” they said, before apologizing for letting the community down and confirming that an internal review had begun.
Behaviour Explains What Went Wrong
In its November 3 follow-up, Behaviour addressed why TheBurntPeanut received the content in the first place. The studio said members of its team noticed a very large audience watching a streamer who had not played Dead by Daylight before. It described these moments as opportunities to welcome new players, but acknowledged that the team acted too quickly.
Behaviour acknowledged that its internal safeguards weren’t sufficient to prevent a team member from granting in-game items without wider approval, stating that “we did not have stringent enough processes and guardrails internally.” It said the decision was made outside normal team discussions and without a supporting system to guide the employee toward a different outcome.
The studio also addressed the official Twitch account’s response after the streamer offered to return the content. Behaviour said the message, alongside other comments made during the session, disregarded the context of the situation and crossed the line of what was appropriate for an official brand representative. It acknowledged that the reply escalated the issue, particularly for Dead by Daylight creators who regularly engage with the community.
The update also attempted to clarify what Behaviour means when it talks about the values it expects from creators and its own staff. It identified “respect, transparency, diversity” as central principles, explaining that it wants players from different backgrounds and with different experiences to feel welcome.
Content Removed as Behaviour Changes Creator Rules
Behaviour has confirmed that the content granted to TheBurntPeanut has already been removed. The developer is also rewriting its guidelines for interacting with creators playing Dead by Daylight. These will establish who on the team is allowed to make decisions about creator interactions, and place greater emphasis on identifying people whose past conduct directly conflicts with the inclusive community Behaviour wants to build.
Communication standards are also being reinforced. Behaviour says interactions with creators of any size must meet standards that ensure anyone speaking on behalf of Dead by Daylight properly represents the team and its values.
The statement also clarified how the Dead by Daylight Creator Program will handle policy violations. Creators found to have broken its rules can be removed from the program, with any decision to suspend or remove someone communicated directly to the creator involved. Behaviour says it won’t provide additional announcements about individual removals through its social media channels or program Discords, with all decisions remaining at the team’s discretion.
Finally, the studio addressed what would happen to the team members involved in the original decision. It confirmed that it is taking “appropriate action internally,” but said the matter is confidential and it won’t share further details.
The developer ended its update by acknowledging the damage caused by the incident, saying it had “broken trust with our community.” It recognized that rebuilding that relationship would take time, but said it remains committed to doing the work necessary to regain it.
The Last Word
Behaviour’s second statement is more substantial than its initial apology because it identifies specific failures rather than simply promising an internal review. The content has been removed, creator checks are being rewritten, approval procedures are changing, and the studio has clarified how it expects staff to communicate with streamers.
There are still unanswered questions, particularly around the confidential action involving the employee responsible. Behaviour also hasn’t explained exactly how its revised guidelines will be enforced beyond the Creator Program’s existing removal provisions.
The incident demonstrates how quickly an informal creator interaction can become a wider problem when it bypasses established checks. Behaviour has acknowledged that failure, but restoring confidence among Dead by Daylight players will depend on whether its promised changes translate into consistent decisions.
Featured Image Credit
Image via Steam
