Starbreeze refocusing on Payday franchise following "a strategic review," Project Baxter discontinued

Following the ongoing struggles with Payday 3 and the bungled rollout for Payday 2’s subscription model, rights holder and developer Starbreeze has announced some restructuring around its huge IP, which will also translate into Project Baxter being binned.

The now-cancelled project was reportedly set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons and would’ve retained the co-op structure Starbreeze is known for. Though the impact of this cancellation is downplayed in the press release we’ve received, layoffs have happened at the company according to devs on social media.

Adolf Kristjansson, CEO of Starbreeze, said the following:

“This was a difficult but necessary decision… Our strategy is clear: PAYDAY is one of the most iconic IPs in gaming, with unmatched reach and potential. By focusing our investment and talent here, we can accelerate delivery, engage players with more content, and reinforce Starbreeze’s position as the clear leader in the heisting genre. This is about sharpening our focus to create the strongest long-term value for our players, our people, and our shareholders.”

“Part of the Baxter team” will now be moved to Payday and other projects at Starbreeze, which will supposedly enable the company to “accelerate” the franchise’s roadmap. It’s worth pointing out Payday 3 isn’t mentioned specifically anywhere, which suggests (along with the recent sub model news) a return to focusing on Payday 2’s already-established community may be the most profitable path forward.

“Starbreeze will shortly present its updated strategy, detailing its renewed PAYDAY-centered growth path and plans to expand the heisting genre into new experiences and markets,” the press release concludes. We’ll be keeping tabs on Starbreeze’s next moves as 2025 winds down and 2026 comes knocking.

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