Whereas Payday 3 hasn’t been doing too properly since its launch, developer Starbreeze believes that gross sales of co-op shooter will get well down the road by way of collaboration occasions, in addition to partnerships with platform-holders. In its latest fiscal report, Starbreeze admitted that Payday 3‘s efficiency was at “considerably decrease ranges” than projected.
Starbreeze pointed to the title being obtainable by way of PlayStation Plus for example for a way the studio will attempt rising its playerbase, referring to the transfer as “an unimaginable alternative”.
“At the moment of writing, Payday 3 is among the video games of the month on PlayStation Plus, that means that in February it will likely be obtainable for anybody with a Plus subscription to obtain and play,” mentioned the studio in its report.
“The collaboration with PlayStation will contribute positively to Payday‘s income within the first quarter of 2025, however most of all, it’s an unimaginable alternative to let thousands and thousands of individuals attempt Payday 3 as it’s right now, after 1.5 years of arduous work to enhance the sport each functionally and content-wise.”
Starbreeze can be working with collaboration occasions with titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds and Roblox to develop some form of Payday-styled experiences within the video games.
For the sake of context, Starbreeze reported annual web gross sales of SEK 185.9 million (round $17.3 million), down from the SEK 633.5 million ($59.1 million) it reported final 12 months. Payday 3 contributed SEK 82.9 million (round $7.7 million) to this all year long (in comparison with the SEK 477 million / $44.5 million from final 12 months), whereas Payday 2 accounted for SEK 41.8 million ($3.9 million), which was down from the SEK 139.1 / $13 million from final 12 months.
All in all, gross sales taking place resulted in a lack of SEK 199.1 million (round $18.5 million) for the 12 months.
Appearing CEO Mats Juhl mentioned that the way forward for Payday, together with different in-development video games just like the Dungeons & Dragons sport internally titled Undertaking Baxter, will lead Starbreeze to a extra profitable 12 months. He additionally emphasises Starbreeze’s third-party publishing efforts for development within the coming 12 months.
“Now we have continued to strengthen the Payday model by way of collaborations and enhancements, whereas making nice progress with Undertaking Baxter and establishing a robust basis for our third-party publishing,” mentioned Juhl.
“With a balanced danger profile, sturdy money place and several other ongoing tasks approaching vital milestones, we look ahead to 2025. Our imaginative and prescient to be a number one multi-title studio is extra life like than ever, and we’re properly positioned to proceed constructing worth for our gamers and house owners.”
Apparently, Starbreeze had revealed in a press release from its quarterly earnings report from again in November 2024 that it will be specializing in getting extra participant engagement for Payday 3 whereas on the identical time reducing its investments into the co-op shooter.
“The extent of funding throughout Payday 3’s first 12 months available on the market, each by way of launched DLCs and Operation Medic Bag, has been at an elevated degree,” mentioned the corporate on the time. “Forward of 12 months two, we’re assured in with the ability to proceed delivering quantities of worth to our gamers with a considerably decrease degree of funding.”
Payday 3 was launched all the way in which again in 2023, and is on the market on PC, PS5 and Xbox Collection X/S. For extra particulars, take a look at our assessment from again when the title first launched.
