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Payday 3
Payday 3
Payday 3
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Payday 3
DeveloperStarbreeze Studios
PublisherDeep Silver
ComposerGustavo Coutinho
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platforms
Release21 September 2023
GenreFirst-person shooter
ModesSingle-player, multiplayer

Payday 3 is a 2023 cooperative first-person shooter game developed by Starbreeze Studios and published by Deep Silver. The game is a sequel to Payday 2, and is the third installment in the Payday series. It was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 21 September 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics and failed to meet the sales expectations of Starbreeze and Embracer Group.

Setting

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Payday 3 takes place after the ending of Payday 2 where the Payday Gang went separate ways and left their criminal lives, but being double-crossed and losing all of their money causes the Payday Gang to return to the life of crime.[1] The original crew of characters originating from Payday: The Heist ("Dallas", "Chains", "Wolf", and "Hoxton") return, with 5 other characters, four returning from Payday 2 ("Joy", "Houston", "Clover", "Jacket"), and one new character ("Pearl"), appearing as additional characters. The game takes place mainly in New York in the 2020s,[1][2] intended to add more depth to the Payday Gang's crimes with game-changing differences like more advanced surveillance or the rise of cryptocurrency.[1][2]

Heists

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Currently, there are 20 heists in Payday 3. These heists are divided into 4 sections.

Core Heists

  • No Rest For The Wicked
  • Road Rage
  • Dirty Ice
  • Rock The Cradle
  • Under The Surphaze
  • Gold & Sharke
  • 99 Boxes
  • Touch The Sky

Side Hustles

  • Turbid Station (Remastered from Payday 2)
  • Cook Off (Remastered from Payday 2)
  • Diamond District
  • First World Bank (Remastered from Payday: The Heist)
  • Party Powder (Paid DLC)
  • Delivery Charge (Paid DLC)

Smash & Grab

  • Bank Withdrawal
  • Search And Seizure

The Bad Apple (Year 1 DLC Heists)

  • Syntax Error
  • Boys In Blue
  • Houston Breakout (previously known as Land of The Free)
  • Fear & Greed

In the Dev Update 09 video on the PAYDAY YouTube channel, the mode "Holdout" from Payday 2 was accidentally leaked, with Holdout having the heist image of 99 Boxes.[3]

Since First World Bank's release in Payday 3, it is the only heist to appear in all 3 main Payday games.

Development

[edit]

Developer Starbreeze Studios announced in May 2016 that Payday 3 was in development at Overkill Software, after Starbreeze acquired the rights to the intellectual property from 505 Games for around US$30 million.[4] In March 2021, Plaion committed to pay €50 million to assist in the game's development and marketing, including more than 18 months of post-launch support using the games as a service model.[5] Payday 3 was developed using Unreal Engine 4, but will be upgraded to use Unreal Engine 5 post launch.[2][6] On January 1, 2023, a teaser trailer titled A New Criminal Dawn was released, revealing its logo. Console versions are also the same version as the game on PC platforms, unlike its predecessor. Overkill states that this is due to the game being created using the Unreal Engine.[7] In June, Overkill announced that the game would release on September 18, 2023 for people who had pre-ordered the Silver and Gold editions, while the standard edition would release on September 21.[8]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

Payday 3 received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[9][10][11] In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game a total score of 30 out of 40.[14]

Vikki Blake, writing for Eurogamer, called it "a shallow shooter that doesn't offer anywhere near enough bang for your ill-gotten buck."[13] Travis Northup, writing for IGN, wrote that "Payday 3's cooperative heists are off to a strong start, even if the vault is a bit bare at the moment."[15] Giovanni Colantonio, in a review for Digital Trends, said that "Payday 3 doesn't shake up its predecessor's formula much, but a strong batch of initial heists sets the live service shooter up for success."[12]

Launch

[edit]

Upon launch, the game's servers failed due to the massive influx of players, making the game almost unplayable, since the game is online-only. The outages lasted for days.[16][17] Starbreeze announced that the game had attracted more than 1.3 million players at launch.[18]

Sales

[edit]

Payday 3 became the fifth and the sixth best-selling video game in the United States and the United Kingdom respectively in September 2023.[19][20]

One month after launch, the player base on Steam plummeted, with Payday 2 having 10 times more concurrent players than Payday 3.[21]

In November 2023, Embracer Group (owner of Deep Silver) said that Payday 3 had failed to meet their sales expectations.[22]

In February 2024, Starbreeze said that the game's sales and player activity were way below expectations.[23][24] In March 2024, Starbreeze fired CEO Tobias Sjögren and replaced him with Juergen Goeldner as interim CEO.[25] On May 15 2024, Mats Juhl replaced Juergen Goeldner to become acting CEO of Starbreeze.[26] In September 2024, it was announced that game director Miodrag Kovačevićas had been removed from his role in preparation for the game's second year, with Andreas Häll Penninger (lead producer on Payday 3) and Almir Listo (Starbreeze's Global Brand Director) becoming interim game directors.[27]

On a 'Heist with Almir' stream in November 2024, Mats Juhl (Starbreeze's CFO and acting CEO) said that "so far, the game [Payday 3] hasn't made any profits".[28]

On March 31 2025, Adolf Kristjansson was appointed as the new CEO of Starbreeze and assumed his position on April 1 2025.[29]

In May 2025, Starbreeze announced it had acquired publishing rights from Plaion.[30]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Payday 3

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from Grokipedia
Payday 3 is a cooperative first-person shooter video game developed by Starbreeze Studios and published by Deep Silver. Released on September 21, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, it serves as the sequel to Payday 2 and follows the infamous Payday Gang as they emerge from retirement to confront a new threat tied to their criminal past, executing elaborate heists across New York City. The game's core gameplay revolves around team-based heists that emphasize player choice, allowing squads of up to four players to approach objectives through stealth, aggressive combat, or a mix of both strategies. Key features include a progression system for unlocking weapons, masks, and skills; dynamic heist scenarios with multiple paths and contingencies; and cross-platform play support via the Starbreeze Nebula platform. Set in a gritty urban environment, the narrative unfolds through contracts from a mysterious handler named Shade, blending high-stakes action with cooperative multiplayer elements that encourage replayability and teamwork. Upon release, Payday 3 received mixed reviews, praised for its refined heist mechanics and visual upgrades using Unreal Engine 4, but criticized for technical issues, a lackluster progression system, and deviations from the series' established online features. Post-launch updates have addressed many concerns, including the addition of legacy heists from previous games and improvements to matchmaking, with ongoing support and a planned upgrade to Unreal Engine 5 helping to sustain a modest player base as of November 2025.

Setting

Plot

Following the events of Payday 2, the core members of the Payday Crew—Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf, and Chains—retire to ordinary lives, seeking respite from their criminal past. However, this peace is shattered when they are coerced back into heisting by John Concord, an enigmatic antagonist who employs blackmail, frozen assets, and direct threats to the crew's families and associates to compel their compliance. This mysterious figure, operating from the shadows as the founder of defense contractor Treaty, leverages the crew's prior exploits against them, transforming their attempted normalcy into a renewed cycle of high-stakes crime. The storyline unfolds with initial heists centered in New York City, where the crew executes jobs amid urban chaos, gradually escalating to broader national implications. These operations involve corporate espionage against powerful entities, intense gang wars that pit the crew against rival factions, and investigative elements that peel back layers of deception, ultimately revealing John Concord's role in an expansive conspiracy threatening societal stability. Returning characters from Payday 2 anchor the narrative, their established dynamics driving the crew's reluctant reunion (detailed further in the Characters section). The plot progresses through a multimedia narrative structure, including pre-heist briefings that outline objectives and stakes, real-time radio chatter from Shade—the crew's handler—who provides guidance and intel during missions, and post-heist cutscenes in the form of animatics that recap events and advance the overarching arc. This delivery method integrates storytelling seamlessly with gameplay, emphasizing tension and progression without overwhelming the action focus. At its core, the narrative delves into themes of involuntary return to criminality, underscoring the inescapable pull of one's past; unwavering loyalty binding the crew through adversity; and a pointed critique of unchecked corporate power, portraying megacorporations as puppet masters in a rigged system of greed and control. These elements highlight the personal toll of heisting while satirizing real-world power imbalances. The story continues to expand through post-launch updates and DLC as of 2025, with additional heists revealing more about Concord's conspiracy.

Characters

The core playable characters in Payday 3 consist of the returning protagonists from the previous installments in the series, each with established backgrounds that define their roles within the crew. Dallas serves as the tactical leader, drawing on his ex-military experience to orchestrate heists with precision and strategy. Hoxton acts as the tech expert, driven by a deep-seated vengeance stemming from his betrayal and capture during the events of Payday 2, where he was framed and imprisoned by authorities. Wolf functions as the explosives specialist, his eccentric and often manic personality injecting chaotic energy into the team's dynamics through unpredictable banter and unorthodox approaches. Chains, the heavy weapons expert, embodies disciplined soldiery, leveraging his military training to deliver overwhelming firepower while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor amid the chaos of operations. Supporting the crew from afar is Shade, the remote handler who supplies vital intelligence, navigation guidance, and real-time updates throughout missions, drawing on her connections to the gang to ensure their survival. In opposition stands John Concord, a shadowy antagonistic force that coerces the retired crew back into action through blackmail and threats, representing the overarching threat that binds the narrative. Heists also feature minor non-playable characters such as informants who provide insider tips on targets and layouts, as well as rivals like competing criminals or corrupt officials who complicate objectives and introduce interpersonal conflicts during infiltrations. Character customization allows players to personalize each protagonist with unique outfits, masks, and accessories that reflect their individual aesthetics, such as Dallas's tactical vests or Wolf's garish patterns. Voice lines are tailored to each character's personality, with quirks like Hoxton's sarcastic quips or Chains's stoic commands influencing dialogue interactions and team banter, enhancing immersion without altering core gameplay mechanics. These elements foster a sense of individuality, enabling players to embody the crew's distinct vibes during co-op sessions. In a 2025 DLC pack, Jacket from the Hotline Miami series joins as a playable character, characterized by his silent demeanor—communicating via a portable voice recorder rather than spoken words—and a playstyle emphasizing brutal, close-quarters efficiency with a preference for melee weapons and raw aggression. This addition expands the crew's roster, integrating Jacket's stoic, relentless persona into the group's lore while offering fresh customization options like his iconic letterman jacket and chicken mask variants.

Gameplay

Heist missions

Heist missions in Payday 3 revolve around a multi-phase structure designed to simulate high-stakes criminal operations, blending preparation with adaptive execution. The process begins in the prologue phase, where players convene in a safehouse to review intel gathered by The Employer, selecting optimal entry points and approaches to suit the mission's layout and security. This planning step allows for strategic decisions, such as prioritizing stealth or preparing for potential escalation. Following the prologue, many heists feature an optional setup phase focused on preparatory side objectives, like obtaining keycards from patrolling guards or acquiring specialized tools to bypass initial barriers, such as hacking electrical systems or securing transport assets. These steps can streamline the primary operation but carry risks of early detection if not handled carefully. The core of each mission unfolds in the main execution phase, where players infiltrate the target site—either through stealthy navigation to evade guards and cameras or by initiating a loud assault that summons waves of law enforcement. Objectives typically involve breaching secure areas, such as vaults or exhibits, to gather loot while managing dynamic threats like randomized security measures. The heist culminates in the escape phase, requiring players to consolidate stolen goods into transportable bags and reach a designated getaway vehicle amid intensifying police assaults. The base game launches with eight core heists, each advancing the narrative of the crew's return to organized crime in New York under The Employer's directives. Representative examples include "Road Rage," a high-speed highway interception of a truck hauling rare-earth materials, where players must board the vehicle and secure cargo mid-transit; "Dirty Ice," a jewelry store robbery at Ashton Fine Jewelry demanding the use of scanners to identify and bag unmarked gemstones; and "Under the Surphaze," an art gallery raid requiring the override of exhibit security to extract specific high-value paintings. Across these missions, success hinges on efficiently bagging loot—often cash, jewels, or artifacts—and delivering it to escape vans without total loss to responding forces. Mission variety is amplified by randomized elements that prevent rote repetition, including fluctuating guard patrol patterns, variable placements of critical items like circuit breakers or documents, and unpredictable alarm triggers that can force a pivot from stealth to combat. Secondary objectives, such as locating hidden intel packets or optional high-risk loot caches, provide avenues for enhanced yields while introducing additional layers of tension through procedural generation. Cooperative multiplayer forms the backbone of heist execution, accommodating up to four players with AI crewmates seamlessly filling any empty slots to replicate full-team coordination, such as shared bag-carrying or synchronized breaches. Enemy spawns, objective timers, and overall difficulty scale dynamically with the number of human participants, ensuring that solo runs remain viable yet more demanding than group efforts.

Combat and stealth

In Payday 3, gameplay revolves around tactical decisions between stealth and loud approaches during heist missions, enabling players to either avoid detection for higher rewards or engage in direct combat when necessary. Stealth allows for non-lethal neutralization of threats and subtle objective completion, while going loud triggers alarms and waves of law enforcement, emphasizing survival and firepower management. These choices occur across heist phases, influencing difficulty and loot potential. Stealth mode focuses on evasion and control, where players perform non-lethal takedowns by sneaking behind guards or civilians and holding the interact button to knock them out silently, avoiding the need for bullets or throwables. Knocked-out targets can then be secured with cable ties to prevent them from raising alarms, and their bodies must be carried over the shoulder and hidden in unobtrusive locations like dumpsters or closets to evade patrols. Silenced weapons enable quiet eliminations when takedowns are impractical, while pager interactions require players to answer a guard's radio within seconds after a takedown, with the team sharing a limited number of responses (4 on Normal difficulty, 3 on Hard, 2 on Overkill). Failing to answer reduces the count by 2 and sends a guard to investigate; exhausting responses or further failures triggers search mode or a full alarm. Failure to manage these elements risks detection by cameras, patrolling guards, or suspicious civilians, forcing a switch to loud mode. Transitioning to loud mode occurs when alarms are raised, summoning escalating waves of SWAT teams that intensify over assault tiers, starting with basic units and progressing to heavily armored reinforcements. Players counter these threats using explosives like frag grenades for area damage, deployable turrets for automated fire support, and doctor bags to revive downed teammates or restore health mid-fight. Special assault waves introduce formidable enemies such as Bulldozers—massive, armored units with high durability requiring focused fire on weak points—and Shields, who advance behind protective barriers while covering teammates. Combat employs first-person shooting mechanics with predictable recoil patterns that players must compensate for by adjusting aim during sustained fire, varying by weapon type to reward practiced control. Ammo management is critical, as reserves deplete quickly in prolonged engagements, necessitating pickups from ammo bags or kits scattered in the environment. Throwable gadgets, such as flashbangs, disorient enemies in an 8-meter radius for 5 seconds, providing brief windows for repositioning or objective advancement. Enemies exhibit varied behaviors to challenge player tactics, with civilians panicking and fleeing upon spotting unmasked heisters within 15 meters, potentially calling for backup if they escape, or cowering to be intimidated and tied up. Basic cops and guards pursue aggressively, using cover and flanking maneuvers to close distances, while special units like Tasers deliver stunning shocks on contact, snipers provide long-range precision fire with laser warnings, and Cloakers execute fast melee ambushes from stealth. AI prioritizes cover usage and coordinated advances, making suppression and environmental awareness essential for survival.

Progression system

In Payday 3, progression is primarily driven by the Infamy system, where players earn Infamy Points (IP) from completing heists by securing loot bags, with rewards scaled by the number and quality of bags obtained. Additional bonuses apply for achieving stealth escapes, securing all available loot, or surviving loud assaults through final waves, encouraging varied playstyles without relying on repetitive challenges. A total of 149,100 IP is required to reach the maximum Infamy level of 150, which shifts further progression to Renown levels without resetting progress elements, unlocking prestige rewards, streamlining advancement compared to prior entries. The skill system ties directly to Infamy progression. Prior to the Skills 2.0 overhaul, it awarded a total of 28 skill points distributed across basic lines up to Infamy level 100. The Skills 2.0 overhaul, released on December 2, 2025, and previewed in September and October, awards a total of 51 skill points distributed across levels, such as 11 points from levels 1-10 and diminishing returns up to 1 point each from levels 111-150. The overhaul reintroduces classic tree structures with six archetypes—Soldier (assault-focused, akin to Enforcer), Ninja (stealth-oriented, including Ghost elements), Mechanic, Hacker, Conman (supportive manipulation), and Professional (strategic oversight, similar to Mastermind)—each containing three specialized trees for a total of 18 trees and 126 aceable skills. These modular perks allow base or enhanced (aced) versions for deeper customization, with talent resets enabling flexible builds that emphasize support in Conman/Professional trees, direct assault in Soldier, or evasion in Ninja. Tier unlocks require investing in 2, 5, or 8 skills per category to access advanced options, promoting specialization while permitting hybrid approaches. Weapon and gear customization occurs via in-game modding stations, where players attach sights, barrels, stocks, and other components to primaries and secondaries using funds earned from heist payouts. Masks, suits, and armor sets are similarly personalized with patterns and colors, purchased from safehouse vendors, allowing visual and functional tailoring that enhances player identity without impacting core balance. The safehouse functions as the central progression hub, featuring upgradeable areas for weapon testing, a Continental safe for loot and gear storage, and tools for crew management and loadout planning before heists.

Development

Announcement and pre-production

Payday 3 was first announced on May 31, 2016, when Starbreeze Studios acquired the full rights to the Payday franchise from 505 Games for $30 million, confirming that Overkill Software, its subsidiary, had begun development on the title as a direct sequel to Payday 2. The acquisition positioned Payday 3 as a key project to capitalize on the series' installed base of over 14 million players at the time, with Starbreeze emphasizing its potential to drive long-term revenue through the franchise. Pre-production for Payday 3 initially considered Starbreeze's proprietary Valhalla engine, acquired in 2015 to support features like randomization across future projects, but the project later shifted to Unreal Engine 4 to enhance graphical fidelity, scalability across platforms, and support for next-generation hardware. This transition was publicly confirmed in October 2020 alongside the release of the game's first development screenshot, highlighting the focus on a live-service model with continuous content updates to sustain player engagement beyond the core heist experiences. The engine change aimed to modernize the co-op shooter formula inherited from Payday 2's Diesel Engine, allowing for more dynamic environments and improved performance in multiplayer scenarios. The project was led by Overkill Software under the oversight of Starbreeze Studios, with Global Brand Director Almir Listo playing a central role in shaping the vision to evolve the heist genre through deeper narrative elements, cross-platform play, and seamless co-op integration for up to four players. In a 2019 financial update, Starbreeze outlined an optimistic timeline targeting a 2022-2023 launch, underscoring the pre-production emphasis on building a robust foundation for ongoing expansions and community-driven content. Early development teasers, including concept art shared in 2020, previewed the reunion of the original Payday crew, signaling a return to the series' roots while incorporating contemporary multiplayer features.

Production and delays

In October 2020, during the early design phase, Overkill Software transitioned Payday 3's development to Unreal Engine 4, departing from the proprietary Diesel engine used in prior entries to leverage improved tools for modern platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted progress in 2020, particularly by halting in-person negotiations for a publishing partner and additional funding, which postponed key agreements essential for scaling production. Starbreeze reported a profound overall impact on operations, including shifts to remote work that affected iteration cycles across the company. As development ramped up, Starbreeze expanded its workforce to support the project, with the studio growing from 152 to 156 employees by late 2022; the Payday 3 team was projected to peak that year in line with the updated timeline. Initially targeting a 2022–2023 window announced in 2019, the release was finalized for September 2023 following refinements to the scope, including an always-online architecture to enable cross-progression across platforms. Overlapping support for Payday 2's live service also diverted resources during this period. In March 2021, Starbreeze secured a co-publishing deal with Koch Media (operating as Deep Silver) to broaden global distribution and provide financial backing, replacing earlier self-publishing plans amid Starbreeze's ongoing financial difficulties. The agreement was valued at €50 million, providing full financing for the project. Ahead of the September 2023 launch, Starbreeze outlined post-release upgrades, including a shift to Unreal Engine 5 to support enhanced features like more dynamic heists.

Release

Platforms and dates

Payday 3 was released on September 21, 2023, for Microsoft Windows via the Epic Games Store and Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with no support for previous-generation consoles such as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. The game launched simultaneously across all platforms and was also available day-one on Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud, following a three-day early access period starting September 18 for owners of the Silver and Gold Editions. The title supports full cross-platform play among all available platforms from launch, allowing players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S to join multiplayer sessions together. Cross-progression is also enabled through a linked Starbreeze Nebula account, enabling players to carry over their unlocks, levels, and cosmetics across platforms. This functionality requires an always-online connection, as the game mandates internet access for all modes due to its integrated account system and multiplayer focus. Available editions at launch included the Standard Edition, which provides the base game; the Silver Edition, which adds a 6-month Season Pass and early access; and the Gold Edition, which includes the Year 1 Season Pass, additional content, and early access. A physical Collector's Edition was also offered for consoles, including the base game plus exclusive items. All editions were initially distributed digitally through platform stores and the Epic Games Store, with physical copies for consoles handled by publishing partners like Deep Silver. Despite its always-online requirement, Payday 3 successfully passed certification processes for both Xbox and PlayStation platforms, meeting their technical and policy standards for release.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Payday 3 kicked off with its announcement at E3 2019, featuring a cinematic trailer that introduced the sequel's storyline and the Payday gang's return to a modern New York City setting. Subsequent promotional efforts included a teaser at Summer Game Fest 2021, which showcased concept art to maintain fan interest amid development updates. The campaign escalated with the debut gameplay trailer at Summer Game Fest 2023, highlighting core heist mechanics such as bank robberies, stealth approaches, and intense shootouts. To provide deeper insights into the game's features, Starbreeze Studios released a series of developer diaries starting in June 2023, with episodes dedicated to topics like platform support, combat systems, art and animation, and heist design. Strategic partnerships played a key role in broadening reach, including distribution through the Epic Games Store alongside Steam for PC players, ensuring day-one availability on next-generation platforms like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Collaborations with Twitch facilitated community engagement via live streams and promotional events, such as developer Q&A sessions and fan interactions during the lead-up to release. Pre-order bonuses were designed to incentivize early commitments, offering exclusive cosmetics across editions: the standard edition included the Venomous Verdigris mask and Obsidian Gitz outfit, while higher tiers like Silver and Gold added items such as the Dark Sterling mask, Skull of Liberty mask, and Golden Slate gloves, plus three days of early access starting September 18, 2023. The Gold Edition also bundled the Year 1 season pass, promising four major DLC expansions with new heists, tailor packs, and weapon content to extend post-launch support. A closed beta test ran from August 2 to 7, 2023, accessible to selected players on Steam and Xbox Series X|S via sign-up, focusing on technical validation and community input, particularly regarding matchmaking functionality and overall stability.

Post-release

Technical updates

Following its launch, Payday 3 received Update 1.0.1 on November 2, 2023, which addressed several critical technical issues, including matchmaking problems where parties could not join games if the former leader had left, and crashes occurring when joining via social features or the shell interface. The patch also fixed stability bugs such as crashes from multiple explosions, DLSS-related errors, and vaulting near heist ends, alongside minor UI improvements for better accessibility. Update 1.0.2, released on November 30, 2023, further enhanced stability by tripling the opening rate of container doors to reduce wait times, buffing AI crew mate health for more reliable single-player experiences, and resolving performance crashes specifically on Xbox Series S. These early patches built on initial launch bugs like server instability, focusing on smoother multiplayer sessions without introducing new features. In 2024, mid-term updates tackled progression system exploits, such as unintended weapon leveling methods on specific heists, which were patched in Update 1.1.1 on February 29, 2024, to ensure fair advancement mechanics. A limited offline mode for single-player was introduced in Update 1.2.0 on June 27, 2024, allowing solo play without full server dependency, though it required an initial online connection and offered reduced functionality compared to online co-op; however, this mode was discontinued in October 2025 as developers shifted focus to online features. The October 2024 anniversary update revamped server infrastructure and UI elements to improve matchmaking reliability and reduce latency. By 2025, developers previewed a comprehensive skill system rework on September 22, with an updated preview of refinements to descriptions and balance provided on October 10 via Blog Update #46; the full rework is planned for January 2026, enhancing skill tree clarity and interaction without altering core progression. Plans for upgrading from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5 were detailed in the October 3 Vision Stream, aiming to enable more advanced graphical features and backend stability for future patches. As of November 2025, Payday 3 has seen over 50 major and hotfix patches since launch, with ongoing efforts prioritizing 60 FPS stability across platforms and cross-play reliability, including fixes for friends-only lobby joins in Update 2.1.4 on June 25, 2025, and general stability improvements in Update 2.4 on November 11, 2025.

Content additions

Following its launch, Payday 3 received four Year 1 DLC chapters between late 2023 and 2024, each introducing new heists, weapons, and cosmetic items to expand the game's criminal operations. The first, Syntax Error, released in December 2023, added a data center heist focused on hacking and extraction, along with three new weapons, a tailor pack featuring tech-themed suits and masks, and the Scrambler skill tree for electronic disruption. Boys in Blue followed in June 2024 as Chapter 2, introducing a police precinct assault heist, a weapon pack with law enforcement-inspired firearms, and a tailor pack of tactical gear. Chapter 3, Houston Breakout, launched in August 2024 and centered on a prison escape theme where players rescue the veteran heister Houston during his trial, including evidence theft objectives; it included a dedicated heist, three new weapons like a courtroom melee tool, and a tailor pack with inmate and guard disguises. The final Year 1 release, Chapter 4: Fear and Greed in September 2024, brought a stock market manipulation heist with high-stakes trading floor infiltration, accompanied by specialized weapons and a greed-motif tailor pack. These chapters collectively added four major heists and integrated skill tweaks for better synergy with existing mechanics. In early 2025, seasonal content further enriched the universe through community-driven events and crossovers. The Jacket Character Pack, released on February 3, 2025, introduced Jacket from the Hotline Miami series as a playable character, complete with his signature chicken mask, unique melee weapons like a baseball bat, and recorder taunts, marking a direct crossover homage. Tied to this launch, the free "Don't Be A Hero" browser-based community event debuted on January 23, 2025, allowing players to simulate civilian roles amid heists via mini-games, unlocking exclusive rewards such as new masks and a secret video upon collective milestones. Event-linked updates also delivered seasonal weapons, like Hotline Miami-inspired firearms, and masks distributed via Twitch Drops. Starbreeze announced an updated roadmap on August 22, 2024, outlining plans extending into 2025 with "meaningful content" such as additional chapters for narrative progression, replayability enhancements like dynamic modifiers, and more heists to build on the core storyline. Free updates complemented these by expanding base game heists with optional modifiers for varied objectives and loot scaling, while paid DLCs like the Party Powder heist in May 2025 added new content, contributing to a total of over 20 heists available by November 2025, including legacy ports like First World Bank from December 2024 and the paid Delivery Charge DLC heist in September 2025.

Reception

Critical reviews

Payday 3 received mixed or average reviews from critics following its September 2023 launch. On Metacritic, the PC version earned a score of 66/100 based on 44 critic reviews, while the Xbox Series X version also scored 66/100 from a similar number of reviews; praise centered on the enjoyable co-op heists, but criticism focused on technical bugs at launch and the mandatory always-online connection that hindered accessibility. IGN rated it 7/10, highlighting the variety in heist design and refined mechanics as a solid evolution from its predecessor, though noting limited content at release. GameSpot awarded 6/10, commending the core shooting but critiquing the shallow progression system that felt grindy and unrewarding. Critics appreciated several positive aspects of Payday 3's gameplay and presentation. The shift to Unreal Engine 4 delivered improved visuals with detailed environments that enhanced immersion during heists, as noted in reviews from outlets like PC Gamer. Satisfying gunplay was a consistent highlight, with responsive controls and impactful feedback making shootouts feel dynamic and tense. The crew's banter added personality and levity to missions, contributing to the co-op appeal when playing with friends. On the negative side, many reviews pointed to repetitive mission structures that lacked the depth and variety of Payday 2, leading to fatigue over time despite strong individual levels. Single-player experiences suffered from weak AI companions that often underperformed in coordination and decision-making, making solo play less viable than in the series' prior entry. The narrative was frequently described as underutilized, serving more as backdrop than a compelling story driver, which disappointed those expecting a more robust campaign. Early 2023 critiques, including from IGN and GameSpot, emphasized how the game fell short of the immense hype built by Payday 2's decade-long success and expansive content. Critical reception has shown some evolution through post-launch assessments, though professional scores remain tied to the initial release. On Steam, user reviews started mostly negative at around 39% positive shortly after launch, reflecting frustration with technical issues, but improved to mixed status at 44% positive by November 2025 following patches that addressed bugs, balance, and content additions—yet it has not approached Payday 2's overwhelmingly positive 93% acclaim. Later analyses, such as PC Gamer's 2025 reflections, acknowledge a partial "redemption arc" via updates enhancing stability and fairness, but underscore ongoing challenges in matching the predecessor's longevity and polish.

Commercial performance

Payday 3 achieved strong initial sales upon its launch in September 2023, ranking fifth on the U.S. sales charts and sixth in the United Kingdom for the month. By October 2023, the game had attracted 1.3 million unique players across platforms, contributing to approximately $41.6 million in net sales for Starbreeze through the end of September. Estimates indicate around 1.3 million copies sold on Steam lifetime as of November 2025, with console sales adding an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 units for a total of approximately 1.5 to 1.8 million units sold across platforms. Revenue from Payday 3 peaked in fiscal year 2023 at $44.5 million, driven by launch momentum, but declined sharply to $7.7 million (SEK 82.9 million) in fiscal year 2024 amid lower player retention. In the first quarter of 2025, revenue rebounded to SEK 33 million, partly boosted by downloadable content releases that enhanced ongoing monetization. In the first nine months of 2025, Starbreeze reported net sales of SEK 179.9 million, with Payday 3 accounting for SEK 68.5 million. On Steam, Payday 3 reached a peak of over 77,000 concurrent players shortly after launch in September 2023, but engagement fell steadily, with average daily concurrent players dropping to around 600 by October 2025. Community events and updates have helped maintain a core active player base of around 200 to 400 daily concurrent players in late 2025, though recent reports highlight ongoing low engagement. The game's underperformance contributed to Starbreeze Studios reporting a net loss of $18.5 million in 2024, exacerbating financial pressures from the revenue drop. In response, the company appointed Adolf Kristjansson as CEO in April 2025 to refocus efforts on live-service improvements for Payday 3 and the broader franchise.

References

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