In a significant move for the popular co-op FPS series, Starbreeze Studios has announced it has secured full control over Payday 3's future. The Swedish developer, known for titles like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, has reacquired all publishing rights to its flagship franchise from former partner Plaion.

Payday 3, the 2023 sequel to the wildly successful Payday 2, brought back the original crew of Dallas, Chains, Wolf and Hoxton, along with newer members like Joy and Pearl. However, its launch was marred by technical difficulties that led to overwhelmingly negative Steam reviews during its crucial first weeks.

The acquisition, detailed in an official statement, was financed through new share issuance worth approximately $3 million USD. This comes after reports that Starbreeze planned to reduce investment in Payday 3 during its second year, making this reversal particularly noteworthy for fans.

Thomas Lindgren of Starbreeze's board explained that full control over the IP will allow the studio to "pursue broader strategic opportunities" while speeding up content delivery. This is crucial for a game that struggled with player retention due to its limited content at launch and persistent technical issues.

The community's most requested feature - an offline mode for solo players - may now have better chances of implementation with Starbreeze calling all the shots. Additionally, the developer has teased major new content arriving May 26, 2025, which many see as the first test of Starbreeze's renewed commitment to the franchise.

With Starbreeze also working on an upcoming Dungeons & Dragons project with Wizards of the Coast (expected 2026), the studio appears to be positioning itself for long-term growth. Payday 3's recent inclusion as a free PS Plus game for February 2025 alongside titles like High on Life suggests a strategic push to rebuild its player base.

While the game currently holds mixed reviews (63/100 on OpenCritic), this acquisition gives Starbreeze the opportunity to fully implement its vision without publisher constraints. Only time will tell if this marks the beginning of Payday 3's redemption story.