Are you wondering about how to unlock the Curator in Directive 8020? This mysterious being has been part of The Dark Pictures Anthology, often appearing just before the untimely demise of characters. While he still heralds the impending doom of this game’s protagonists, Supermassive has changed up how he makes his presence known. This time, you have to actively search for him by way of collectibles known as O Death secrets. The studio did this as a memorial of sorts to the actor, Tony Pankhurst, who sadly passed away in May 2024.
This time, the studio has also hidden away the next Dark Pictures teaser behind this extra step too, rather than putting it at the end of the credits as normal. For those two reasons, you’ll want to seek out the O Death collectibles, and here’s how.
Note: This article contains spoilers. If you’re also keen on keeping your characters safe, then you can have a look at our everyone survives walkthrough.
The Way Back
To unlock the Curator in Directive 8020, you must play through the campaign until you reach Episode 8: Come True:
- Progress through the game normally until you’re able to purge the elevator shaft. After a cutscene, the objective should change to “Get to the Hangar.”
- Immediately to your right, you’ll see a receptacle that’s missing a Power Cell. If you walk a bit further down the corridor, you’ll see a Power Cell that you can use. Slot that in and go through the crawlspace.
- There’s an environmental puzzle of sorts that you need to complete in the succeeding areas. Basically, you have to activate switches (i.e. R2 or RT button on a PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, respectively) and redirect power by scanning hidden wires on the wall (i.e. Square or X button on a PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, respectively).
- Continue onward as you pass through server rooms and squeeze through narrow gaps. Eventually, you’ll find a Simms’ Recording and your first O Death secret.
O Death secret #1: This Doesn’t Belong Here
- Episode 8: Come True – The Way Back
- Character: Variable depending on who’s still alive
- Location: Found on the ground near the terminal with the Simms’ Recording.
Note 1: Upon picking up your first O Death secret in Directive 8020, the screen will flicker briefly. There will also be a short cutscene showing the Curator’s desk. You’ll then be told that other O Death secrets have appeared in various sections of the campaign. You can use the Turning Point system to rewind back to those segments.
Note 2: There are five O Death secrets, including this one. Even if you haven’t found all of them, the Curator will start showing up during moments where a character might meet their demise.
O Death secret #2: The Man in the Bowler Hat
- Episode 1: Little Star – Medical
- Character: Carter
- Location: Lift the lockdown as Carter. The datapad is on the floor by the station. Pick it up before going through the door that triggers the spacewalk segment.
O Death secret #3: Paranoia
- Episode 3: The Sample – Search
- Character: Cooper
- Location: There’s a new terminal that you can interact with to the left of the food and drinks machines in the Mess Hall.
O Death secret #4: O_DTH
- Episode 5: Mr. Williams – Radio Silence
- Character: Cernan
- Location: This Directive 8020 O Death secret is at the left-hand side of the corridor that leads to the cockpit.
O Death secret #5: Bloodlines
- Episode 5: Mr. Williams – Radio Silence
- Character: Cernan
- Location: Leave the bridge and ride the elevator to the upper deck. Circle around the hallway and go up the steps to the Crew Lounge. It’s on the bench just before the door.
What do you unlock after finding all O Death secrets?
Once you’ve found all five O Death secrets in Directive 8020, the full cutscene showing the Curator’s return will play. You may also rewatch it via the Bonus Content panel in the main menu. Speaking of which, it’s also where you’ll be able to watch the teaser trailer for the next game in The Dark Pictures Anthology.
What’s in the teaser trailer for the next game in The Dark Pictures Anthology?
The start of the trailer shows several VHS tapes on the floor, with titles like “Philip Experiment,” “EVP 2,” and “Retroactive PK.” A tape called “Don’t Play Alone” is played.
At first, you’ll see several people walking around in a circle, as though they’re part of an experiment. Then, it reaches the next stage, where a woman is shown floating in mid-air as if possessed by an unknown entity. This culminates in a voiceover saying that the experiment has reached “Stage 4: Contact.” Then, a disheveled hand emerges from beyond a darkened doorway. A scream pierces the air as “To be continued” appears on your screen.
That does it for our guide on how to unlock the Curator in Directive 8020. If you want your characters to survive the whole ordeal, then we suggest taking a look at our everyone survives walkthrough.
