Payday 3 Team Downsized but No Layoffs Reported, Starbreeze Looks to Regroup
Starbreeze Studios has downsized the development team for Payday 3, but thankfully, no layoffs have been announced. This decision comes after the game’s rocky launch, which fell short of expectations despite high anticipation from fans.
Starbreeze’s Strategy Moving Forward
In their interim report, CEO Mats Juhl addressed the changes, saying that development resources for Operation Medic Bag (focused on improving Payday 3) will be reduced as the studio moves into Year 2. While the downsized team will continue to work on content updates, it's unclear how this will affect their frequency or scale.
The report also highlights that Starbreeze remains financially stable, thanks largely to the ongoing success of Payday 2, which many players returned to after Payday 3’s underwhelming launch. Additionally, recent Payday 3 DLCs have been positively received, offering a glimmer of hope for the franchise.
Project Baxter and Other Ventures
Beyond Payday, Starbreeze continues work on Project Baxter, a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired title currently in internal playtesting. The report notes active discussions with industry-leading companies, showing that Starbreeze is looking to expand its portfolio.
Known not just for the Payday franchise, Starbreeze has also delivered critically acclaimed titles like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. Additionally, their publishing ventures, including Dead by Daylight, have been a key part of their success.
