Deathground FAQ: Everything We Know About The Dino-Horror Game Your Friends Won't Shut Up About
So, you've heard the screams and seen the clips. Deathground is the new co-op horror sensation, but what is it, really? Here's everything you actually need to know before you become dino-chow.
The internet is currently losing its collective mind over a game where you and your friends get systematically hunted by dinosaurs in the dark. If your social feeds are anything like mine, they’re filled with clips of pure, unadulterated panic from a game that seems to have come out of nowhere and taken over. That game is Deathground.
It's a co-op survival horror game for one to four players that drops you into terrifyingly atmospheric environments to complete objectives while being stalked by relentless, AI-driven dinosaurs. The developers, Jaw Drop Games, call it an experience where you're at the "bottom of the food chain," and after playing, I can confirm that feels like an understatement. The game has blown up since its Early Access launch, but with that viral fame comes a ton of questions. I’ve dug through the Steam forums, developer responses, and my own traumatic playtime to get you the answers.
So, Is It Just Alien: Isolation With Dinosaurs?
That's the big question on everyone's mind. The comparison is fair, but it’s not a one-to-one copy. Deathground is absolutely a horror game first and foremost. A developer on the forums clarified that while there are some shooter elements, the game leans heavily on stealth and hiding.
Don't go in expecting a dino-blasting power fantasy. Ammo for the Tranquilizer Rifle is incredibly scarce, and it's more for stunning or slowing enemies to help you escape, not to kill them. If you loved the feeling of being hunted in Alien: Isolation, you'll feel right at home here.
Can I Play It Solo?
Yes, the developers have confirmed that the game fully supports solo play. All missions are available whether you're alone or in a group, which was a "highly requested feature".
Be warned, though. The devs and the community have been clear: playing solo is a brutal, isolating experience. The game’s difficulty isn't explicitly balanced for a single player, so you'll be doing all the objectives yourself while still being hunted. Some players have even sought refunds, finding it too punishing on their own.
What's the Player Limit? Can We Break It?
The official lobby size is capped at four players. So far, the developers have not announced any official plans to increase this.
However, the community is already begging for the ability to host bigger lobbies, much like players do with mods for games like Lethal Company to create more chaos. For now, though, you'll have to pick your three bravest (or dumbest) friends.
What Dinosaurs Are in the Game?
The Early Access version features a curated list of threats designed to ruin your day. Your main tormentors will be the terrifyingly smart Utahraptors and the small, chaos-causing Compsognathus ("compys"). If you're unlucky enough to be outside, you might also have a run-in with a T-Rex.
More dinos are planned on the road to the 1.0 release, and the developers have even mentioned possible expansions featuring aquatic and flying reptiles. And no, you absolutely cannot play as a dinosaur. The game is strictly Player vs. Environment (PVE).
Is There a Featherless Mode?
Yes. Wisely choosing to sidestep the internet's most pedantic argument, the devs have included a toggle in the settings to turn feathers on or off for the raptors and compys.
The best part? This setting is client-side, meaning it only affects your game. You can enjoy your scaly, movie-accurate monsters while your paleontologist friend can keep their scientifically-accurate feathered versions. Everybody wins.
What's the Technical State of the Game?
It's an Early Access launch, so there are some rough edges.
Performance Scaling: Right now, the game supports DLSS for Nvidia users, but AMD's FSR and Intel's XeSS are missing. This has annoyed some players, but the developers have stated they are "aiming to get [FSR] in... shortly".
Controller Support: You can play with a controller, but it's not fully optimized. Full support and rebindings are on the roadmap for a future update.
Accessibility: Players have reported motion sickness from camera shake and head bob. The developers are aware and have said more accessibility options are "in the pipeline".
Languages: The launch was a bit messy with localization. A "very basic" German translation was accidentally included, and some players were being forced into it based on their Steam region. The developers have provided a manual fix and are pushing a hotfix to sort it out while they work on official translations.
Is There Mod Support?
Not yet. The developers have stated that mod support via Steam Workshop or Mod.io is something they "can consider later down the road," but it is not a part of their current development plan for Early Access.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Early Access price is set at $14.99 / €14.79 / £11.99, and there's a launch discount for the first two weeks. The devs have been upfront that this is the lowest the price will ever be, and it will likely increase as they add more content and approach the full 1.0 release.
What About Consoles or VR?
The team is entirely focused on the PC release for now. They've said they will "evaluate targeting consoles and cross-platform support later down the line". The same answer applies to VR; it's a cool idea they've discussed, but nothing is officially planned at this time.