The Rise and Fall of Payday 3: A Development History
Origins of the Franchise
The Payday series began with Payday: The Heist in 2011, developed by Overkill Software. Despite middling reviews, the game attracted over 700,000 players within its first year, establishing itself as a compelling cooperative heist experience. The sequel, Payday 2, launched in 2013 to even greater success, turning a profit before its release and maintaining a strong live service model that set high expectations for the franchise.
Corporate Changes and Development
In 2012, Swedish company Starbreeze Entertainment acquired Overkill Software, including the Payday IP and the proprietary diesel engine. Under Starbreeze's leadership, several significant business decisions shaped the franchise's future:
- The company acquired full Payday rights from 505 Games in 2016
- They announced Payday 3's development while pledging continued support for Payday 2
- The company faced financial difficulties after the failure of Overkill's The Walking Dead in 2018
- Starbreeze underwent reconstruction to avoid bankruptcy
- A co-publishing agreement with PlayOn (formerly Koch Media) provided $59 million in funding for Payday 3
Technical Evolution
For Payday 3, Starbreeze made several notable technical changes:
- Switched from the proprietary diesel engine to Unreal Engine 4
- Planned a post-launch transition to Unreal Engine 5
- Focused on achieving better console-PC parity
- Implemented new features like the Heist Management System
- Set the game in a detailed recreation of New York City
Launch and Initial Problems
Payday 3 launched in September 2023 with immediate challenges:
- Severe server issues prevented many players from accessing the game
- Matchmaking problems persisted due to third-party software failures
- The game launched with fewer heists than its predecessor (8 compared to Payday 2's 12)
- Player counts quickly dropped below Payday 2's concurrent user numbers
- The game fell out of Steam's top 100 most played games
Recovery Attempts
Starbreeze implemented several measures to improve the game:
- Deployed Patch 1.01 in November 2023 with over 200 quality-of-life improvements
- Released Chapter 1 "Syntax Error" DLC in December 2023
- Formed an internal "Strike Team" of veteran developers to address player feedback
- Implemented a progression system overhaul in May 2024
- Added a solo mode beta (though still requiring internet connectivity)
- Released additional DLC chapters throughout 2024
Leadership Changes
The company underwent several leadership changes in response to the game's struggles:
- CEO Tobias Herrian was replaced by interim CEO Jurgen Goldner in March 2024
- Game Director Mio Kevich stepped down to a designer role in September 2024
- Andreas Helpeninger and Almir Listo were appointed as creative co-leads
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of late 2024, Payday 3's future remains uncertain. While the game has received numerous improvements and updates, it continues to face challenges in winning back its player base. The development team has acknowledged their overconfidence and hasty decisions, committing to:
- Strengthening the core heist fantasy
- Delivering more open-ended and rewarding heists
- Implementing the delayed Unreal Engine 5 upgrade
- Continuing support through Year 2 content
Despite its troubled launch, Starbreeze remains committed to rehabilitating Payday 3, drawing inspiration from other AAA games that successfully recovered from difficult launches.
