Key Takeaways
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- Starbreeze has cancelled Project Baxter, a cooperative game based on Dungeons & Dragons, and is refocusing efforts primarily on the Payday franchise.
- The decision follows a quarter in which the company reported a loss of SEK 255 million (approximately $24 million USD) and includes layoffs of 44 employees and contractors.
- Starbreeze remains optimistic about Payday 3, despite its servers not being very busy two years after its launch, and has introduced a subscription service for Payday 2 to boost profits.
- The studios new strategy aims to become a leading developer in heist games by developing spinoffs, storytelling projects, and expanding to new platforms.
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Starbreeze Shifts Focus to Payday Franchise, Cancels D&D Project and Implements Restructuring
Swedish studio Starbreeze has canceled Project Baxter, a cooperative game based on Dungeons & Dragons, and announced a restructuring plan. This plan includes laying off 44 employees and contractors and refocusing efforts primarily on the Payday franchise. The decision follows a quarter in which the company reported a loss of SEK 255 million (23.9 million). Some members of the Project Baxter team will be reassigned to other Starbreeze projects, mainly within the Payday series. In an announcement, CEO Adolf Kristjansson stated, “Thanks to the Baxter team for their passion and creativity, and thanks to Wizards of the Coast for their support. Even though we won’t be moving forward with this project, we’re proud of what was achieved at Baxter and those contributions will help Payday and Starbreeze’s future. By focusing on Payday, we give Starbreeze and all our employees the best shot at success.”
Starbreeze Shifts Strategy, Focuses on Payday and Subscription Service Amid Cancellation of Project Baxter
While the cancellation of Project Baxter was not entirely unexpected given Starbreeze’s ongoing financial difficulties—including narrowly avoiding bankruptcy a few years prior and Payday 3’s underwhelming performance last September—the move still surprised some observers. This surprise stemmed from Starbreeze’s apparent strong commitment to the D&D project, highlighted by their recent hiring of industry veteran Paul Keslin (formerly of Ubisoft and EA) as General Manager for Project Baxter, tasked with leading the game’s creative direction. Starbreeze remains optimistic that Payday 3 could still be a hit, despite its servers reportedly not being very busy two years after its September launch. In a move to boost profits, Starbreeze recently introduced a subscription service for Payday 2. The studio’s new strategy aims to become a leading developer in heist games by developing spinoffs, storytelling projects, and expanding to new platforms.
In Case You Missed It
For those interested in the latest developments in the gaming industry, particularly regarding major franchises and their strategic shifts, be sure to check out “Starbreeze Cancels Dungeons & Dragons Game” by Jonathan Dubinski (published on 2025-10-02). This insightful piece delves into Starbreeze’s decision to cancel Project Baxter, a collaboration with Wizards of the Coast for a Dungeons & Dragons game, as they pivot their focus entirely towards the Payday series. Dive into the details and implications at Starbreeze Cancels Dungeons & Dragons Game. If you’re a gamer who missed out on Hollow Knight: Silksong’s launch or encountered issues trying to access the Steam store, make sure to check out “Silksong Launch May Have Brought Down Steam” by Bruno Pferd (September 4, 2025) for an in-depth look at what happened. The article explores how the game’s release might have caused a significant server overload, leaving many players unable to access their favorite titles. Dive into the details and theories behind this unexpected outage here: Silksong Launch May Have Brought Down Steam. If you’re a fan of cooperative gameplay and intricate storytelling, be sure to check out “Den of Wolves: Developers Explain Ambitions for This FPS by Former Payday Devs” (Jonathan Dubinski, August 26, 2025) on PlayersForLife. The blog delves into the ambitious vision behind this upcoming first-person shooter from 10 Chambers Studio, promising a thrilling blend of action and suspense inspired by cinematic masterpieces like Inception and The Matrix. Dive deeper into their latest update at Den of Wolves: Developers Explain Ambitions for This FPS by Former Payday Devs and see how this cooperative technothriller aims to redefine the FPS genre.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Payday 3 |
| Brief Summary | Payday 3 is the much anticipated sequel to one of the most popular co-op shooters ever. Since its release, Payday-players have been reveling in the thrill of a perfectly planned and executed heist. That’s what makes Payday a high-octane, co-op FPS experience without equal. Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law-enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement. |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox Series X|S |
| Released | September 21, 2023 |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Play Modes | Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative |
| Content Rating | 19+ |
| Languages | Chinese (Simplified), English, Korean |
| Genre | Starbreeze Studios |
| Genre | Prime Matter, PLAION |
| Ratings | 65/100 (42 reviews) |
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