Payday 3: A Heist Gone Wrong
Hey there, fellow gamers! Today, we’re diving into the world of Payday 3, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular heist game series. But hold on to your masks, because things haven’t exactly gone according to plan. As of now, Payday 3 has struggled to make its mark, with a 24-hour peak of only 1,489 players on Steam, compared to Payday 2’s impressive peak of 27,099 players. Ouch! It’s clear that Payday 3 has a long way to go before it reaches the heights of its predecessor.
Inside the Minds of the Developers
So, who better to shed some light on the situation than the creators themselves? We reached out to Ulf Andersson and Simon Viklund, two-thirds of the original Overkill team who split from Starbreeze to pursue their own projects. Viklund, in particular, had some interesting thoughts to share during our conversation in Unity’s Copenhagen offices.
“I played Payday 3 one evening with Ulf and a couple of other founders, and we had fun!” Viklund began. “They’re playing to their audience, building on what already works. They’ve added some new mechanics, like a fuzzier stealth detection system. But when the alarm goes off, it’s still a full-on sausage party until you either fail or succeed.”
Viklund then went on to highlight the difference between Payday 3 and the work happening at his new studio, 10 Chambers, with their game GTFO. While GTFO remains a tactical cooperative FPS, it veers off in a different direction from the heist genre. Viklund pondered if Starbreeze could have taken more risks and innovated further, but acknowledged that playing to their strengths and their existing audience was the right move. After all, Payday 2 boasts a massive player base and a ton of content.
The Rocky Launch of Payday 3
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Payday 3’s less-than-stellar launch. The game initially saw a surge of excitement from fans, reaching an all-time peak of 247,628 players on Steam alone. However, server issues and other lackluster aspects quickly caused that number to plummet. Viklund expressed sympathy for the developers but made it clear that his sympathy had its limits.
“It’s demoralizing to work hard on a game, release it, and then see it with only 500 players,” Viklund shared. “Today, we checked, and Payday 2 had around 30,000 players at the same time. However, I don’t feel too bad for them because Payday 2 is their game. They’re still making money from DLC for that game. So, as long as they invest that money into more content for Payday 3, they have a chance to turn things around.”
Robin Björkell, the communications lead at Starbreeze, added his perspective on the situation. He acknowledged the challenges of launching a cross-platform game like Payday 3, especially considering the game’s availability on platforms like Game Pass. With over 30 million Game Pass subscribers, it’s difficult to predict how many players will jump into the game at launch.
Despite the criticism and concerns, Viklund reiterated that he genuinely wishes the team at Starbreeze well. He believes that as they continue to add new content to Payday 3, more players will shift their focus to the game. He understands that it can be hard for players who have invested heavily in Payday 2’s DLC to abandon it for a new game where they have nothing.
Conclusion: A Game in Need of Redemption
So, what does the future hold for Payday 3? Will it rise from the ashes like a phoenix, or will it fade into obscurity? Only time will tell. As gamers, we have the power to shape the destiny of our favorite titles. If you’re a fan of the Payday series, consider giving Payday 3 a chance. Support the developers as they work hard to deliver new and exciting content. Remember, every heist has its challenges, just like every game has its obstacles.
Whether you’re a stealthy mastermind or a guns-blazing enforcer, your presence in Payday 3 could make a difference. Let’s rally together, embrace the thrill of the heist, and help Payday 3 reach its full potential. Together, we can turn this game around and create an unforgettable gaming experience!