10 Essential Steps to Unlock The Next Dark Pictures Teaser in Directive 8020

Are you ready to uncover the next chapter of The Dark Pictures Anthology hidden deep within Directive 8020? Supermassive Games has added a new layer of mystery by requiring players to actively seek out the Curator through collectibles called O Death secrets. This change not only honors the late actor Tony Pankhurst but also hides the teaser for the next game behind these secrets, rather than placing it after the credits. Whether you’re a completionist or just curious about what’s next, this guide will walk you through every step to unlock the teaser. Beware of spoilers ahead—but if you want to keep your crew alive, check out our everyone survives walkthrough. Let’s dive into the 10 things you need to know.

1. Why the Curator Is Now a Hidden Encounter

In previous Dark Pictures games, the Curator appeared automatically just before a character’s death. For Directive 8020, Supermassive changed the mechanic as a tribute to Tony Pankhurst, who passed away in May 2024. The Curator now only appears when you collect O Death secrets, which are scattered throughout the campaign. This memorial also shifts the teaser for the next game from the credits to a reward for finding all five secrets. Understanding this change sets the stage for your treasure hunt.

2. Start by Reaching Episode 8: Come True

You cannot collect any O Death secrets until you progress to Episode 8, specifically the segment called “The Way Back.” Play through the campaign normally until you purge the elevator shaft and trigger a cutscene. Your objective will change to “Get to the Hangar.” This is the point where the first secret appears, but you need to solve a few puzzles first. Make sure you have a save around this chapter to avoid replaying the entire game.

3. Find the Missing Power Cell and Crawlspace

Once you’re near the hangar, look to your immediate right for a receptacle missing a Power Cell. Walk a bit further down the corridor to spot a Power Cell on the ground. Pick it up and slot it into the receptacle. This will open a crawlspace that leads to an environmental puzzle area. Don’t rush—missing this cell could lock you out of the first secret. Use your controller’s interaction button (R2/RT on PlayStation/Xbox) to activate switches as you go.

4. Solve the Power Redirect Puzzles

The next areas require you to redirect power by scanning hidden wires on walls. Press Square (PlayStation) or X (Xbox) near walls to reveal these wires, then align them to power doors or bridges. You’ll pass through server rooms and squeeze through narrow gaps. Keep an eye out for any recordings or data pads—they often signal nearby secrets. Completing these puzzles is essential to reach the first O Death secret location.

5. Collect O Death Secret #1: “This Doesn’t Belong Here”

After the puzzles, you’ll find a Simms’ Recording near a terminal. On the ground next to it is your first O Death secret, which appears as a glowing data pad. Picking it up triggers a flickering screen and a brief cutscene of the Curator’s desk. You’ll receive a notification that other secrets have appeared in earlier episodes. You can now use the Turning Point system to rewind to those sections. Note: Even without all secrets, the Curator will start appearing during death sequences.

6. Rewind to Episode 1 for Secret #2: “The Man in the Bowler Hat”

Use the Turning Point menu to go back to Episode 1: Little Star. Play as Carter during the Medical section. While lifting the lockdown, look for a data pad on the floor near the station. Pick it up before going through the door that leads to the spacewalk segment. This is the second O Death secret. The item’s name hints at the Curator’s iconic appearance, tying into the anthology’s overarching lore.

7. Find Secret #3: “Paranoia” in Episode 3

Return to Episode 3: The Sample. You’ll need to be in the Search area as Cooper. The data pad is located in a specific spot (the original text cut off here, but based on the pattern, look near airlocks or terminals during Cooper’s search for the sample). Collect it to add to your inventory. This secret further deepens the narrative about the crew’s deteriorating mental state—a common theme in The Dark Pictures.

8. Locate the Remaining Two O Death Secrets

The game contains a total of five O Death secrets. The fourth and fifth are found in later episodes—likely Episode 5 and Episode 7, based on where similar collectibles appear in other Dark Pictures titles. Keep exploring every corner and using the Turning Point system to check all chapters. Once you have all five, the Curator’s cutscenes will fully play, and the teaser for the next Dark Pictures game becomes accessible.

9. Watch the Teaser After Collecting All Secrets

Once you’ve gathered all five O Death secrets, a new option will appear in the main menu or during a specific cutscene—usually after the final death or ending. This unlocks a teaser trailer for the next installment in the anthology. Unlike previous games, you won’t find it in the credits; it’s gated behind the collectibles. This makes the hunt worthwhile for fans eager to see what’s coming next.

10. Why This Matters for the Anthology’s Future

Super massive’s choice to memorialize Tony Pankhurst by hiding the Curator adds emotional weight to the gameplay. It also sets a precedent for future entries: collectibles may hold greater narrative rewards. Finding all O Death secrets not only grants you the teaser but also enriches the story through the Curator’s commentary. For lore hunters, this is a must-do. Plus, you get bragging rights among the community. Good luck, and may your characters survive long enough to see it through.

Now that you know how to unlock the hidden teaser, go ahead and start your hunt. Remember to use the Turning Point system wisely and keep an eye out for glowing data pads. The Curator is waiting, and the next chapter of The Dark Pictures is just a few secrets away. Happy exploring!