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Starbreeze regains publishing rights for Payday 3 from Plaion, stating this action will speed up their content development schedule.

Starbreeze seeks wider strategic possibilities for the Payday series in light of Payday 3's ongoing challenges.

Starbreeze regains publishing rights for Payday 3 from Plaion, stating this action will speed up their content development schedule.

Headline: Starbreeze Steps Up to the Plate for Troubled Payday 3, but Can They Knock It Out of the Park?

Last Call for Payday 3?Starbreeze Studios has swooped in to save the publishing rights for Payday 3 from Plaion, with promises of speeding up development and exploring new opportunities for the franchise. But can overhauling a game that's been mired in misfortune since its 2023 launch be accomplished?

In the January 2025 announcement, Starbreeze board member Thomas Lindgren acknowledged that the time for action is ripe, since Payday 3 has already seen the light of day. He suggests that the takeover will supercharge Starbreeze's content development timeline, aiming for broader strategic gains for the Payday series.

A Tumultuous PastThe road to this revival has been anything but smooth for Payday 3. The initial launch in September 2023 failed to impress, with damage control efforts faltering and the CEO of Starbreeze departing by the following year. Fast forward to 2024, and the Payday 3 game director steps down—not exactly a recipe for stability.

A closer look at the numbers reveals that player interest remains significantly lower compared to that of its predecessor, the 12-year-old Payday 2. While Payday 2 has rightfully earned a spot among Steam's top 100 most-played games, Payday 3 seldom manages more than 1,000 concurrent players.

A Light in the Tunnel?While some players cling to hope that wrestling development away from Plaion may expedite updates, others remain skeptical that the shift will ultimately address the game's underlying issues. Regardless of who shoulders the blame for Payday 3's struggles, substantial efforts will be required to resurrect it as a success.

With Lindgren's comment about pursuing further Payday partnerships, it’s clear that Starbreeze may be growing weary of the challenges associated with fixing Payday 3. Instead, resources could potentially be poured into a new Payday game, with the aim of putting this tumultuous chapter behind them.

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Andy ChalkWith a gaming history dating back to the TRS80, Andy has experienced the golden years of Sierra Online and Microprose. After starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games, he progressed to RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. Now, he covers the gaming industry's latest news, from announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch dramas, esports, and the ever-present Henry Cavill.

  1. Starbreeze Studios is betting on a revival for the troubled Payday 3 game, aiming to payday by enabling improvements and exploring new technology opportunities.
  2. Despite the rocky season for Payday 3 since its 2023 launch, Starbreeze is determined to fight for its success and bring the game back to its former glory.
  3. Under the guidance of the newly appointed game director, Starbreeze aims to game the troubled Payday 3, speeding up development, and pushing for strategic gains for the franchise.
  4. The initial game of Payday 3 failed to impress upon launch in 2023, but Starbreeze, as the new publisher, hopes to win back the fans and bring the game to the top ranks.
  5. With the takeover of publishing rights for Payday 3 by Starbreeze in 2025, the future looks a bit brighter for the struggling game, with the potential for a turnaround in sight.
  6. The road to redemption will be a tough fight for Payday 3, but with the right resources and technology at their disposal, Starbreeze Studios may just be able to knock it out of the park and bring the series back to its star status.
Struggling Payday 3 prompts Starbreeze to pursue wider strategic options for the Payday series as a comprehensive entity.
Payday 3 faces ongoing challenges, prompting Starbreeze to explore broader strategic prospects for the Payday series as a whole.
Struggling Payday 3 prompts Starbreeze to pursue wider strategic possibilities for the entire Payday series.

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