PAYDAY 3 Update 3.8 Brings Unreal Engine 5 and Removes Cook Off Bag Limits

The patch cuts the game's storage requirement from 65GB to approximately 45GB while adding new contracts and several graphics updates.

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Masked PAYDAY 3 heisters gathered in a room during the August Update

PAYDAY 3 Update 3.8 is here with the long-awaited move to Unreal Engine 5, a Cook Off rework, and a much smaller storage footprint. The space needed for the game drops from 65GB to approximately 45GB, while Cook Off gains new lighting and loses its Bag Limits.

New contracts are also part of the update, alongside fixes for gameplay systems, heist objectives, teammate AI, skills, lighting, and upscaling options. DLSS, FSR, and XeSS have all received version updates, while texture and memory work should help the game use its resources more efficiently.

The update also began the next step in the game’s heist access plan. All paid Heist DLCs were delisted from storefronts on August 25 ahead of the September update. When that update arrives, all past and future heists will be included in the PAYDAY 3 base game.

The change follows the August and September plan described in our PAYDAY 3 update plans. Players should also keep the known issues in mind, especially the current problems with FSR Frame Interpolator and PlayStation controller input on PC.

The complete changelog is available in the Steam announcement.

PAYDAY 3 Update 3.8 Patch Notes

The biggest additions are the Unreal Engine 5 upgrade, the Cook Off rework, and new contracts. The rest of the patch focuses on heist flow, AI behavior, visual consistency, graphics settings, performance, and bugs that could interrupt a run.

Feature

Upgraded Game Engine to Unreal Engine 5
Cook Off Rework
New Contracts

Gameplay

Adjusted the escape van’s center of mass to prevent it from bouncing up and down while moving.
Fixed an issue that prevented AI from taking cover behind first responder police cars.
Fixed an issue where some moving objects could flicker due to incorrect position and velocity calculations.
Fixed an issue in Art Gallery, Turbid Station, and Delivery Charge where moving cameras, sensors, and drones would not move correctly for clients.
Fixed an issue where applying multiple cosmetics at once could cause players to get stuck on the “Getting Ready” screen.
Fixed an issue where preplaning favors were consumed with every restart of the heist by the player.
Fixed an issue from the Techie enemy AI where the teammate HUD would not update correctly while the glitch effect was active.
Fixed an issue where the host couldn’t restart the heist from the result screen if they created a party with clients.

Skills

Fixed an issue where the Bastion and Rabid skills did not correctly prevent stagger effects.

Art

Fixed an issue where crow animations could appear distorted due to incorrect texture settings.
Unified ambient occlusion values across the game for more consistent lighting and shading.

Tech

Improved clarity when using Upscalers and Anti-Aliasing.
Enabling DLSS, FSR, or XeSS will now automatically display the corresponding Anti-Aliasing option in the settings menu instead of showing “None”.
- This is a visual change only and does not affect graphics or performance.
Improved performance by optimizing texture sizes and memory usage.
Updated DLSS to version 8.5.0
Updated FSR to version 4.0.3
Updated XeSS to version 5.5
Optimized textures used on world objects to improve texture handling and performance.

Heists

99 Boxes
- Fixed an issue where players could be blocked from entering the central warehouse yard.
- Updated the degrading bag timers so they better match the timer shown in the HUD.
- Fixed an issue where players could get stuck inside container doors in the warehouse.
- Fixed an issue where Crew AI could leave the containers during stealth, unintentionally alerting guards and cameras.
Turbid Station
- Updated the board interaction in Turbid Station to use the localized “Take a note” text instead of “Memorize”.
Cook Off
- Updated the estimated payout display in Cook Off to values up to 1,000,000,000.
Delivery Charge
- Removed an extra escape van that could continuously fall through the level.
- Fixed an issue in Delivery Charge where guards could attempt to walk into the space occupied by the money truck.
Shopping Spree
- Fixed an issue where guards could escort players through the roped-off escalator.
Tutorial
- Fixed an issue where players could access the room behind the vault.
- Fixed an issue where players could fall out of bounds through a vent in an out-of-bounds area.
- Disabled the Micro Camera in the tutorial.
- Fixed an issue in the tutorial where the train’s window lights were not displayed correctly.

⚠️ Known Issues

The Sunburn skill does not correctly apply its debuff.
Enemies can see players through smoke.
Zappers sometimes have difficulty targeting players.
The Weapon Experience/Favor Tab may sometimes not be accessible on the Heist Results Screen.
PC
- The FSR Frame Interpolator setting currently doesn’t function correctly.
- No input is currently detected from PlayStation Controllers.
  - Temporary Workaround for Steam: Force-enable Steam Input for PlayStation Controllers in Steam’s PAYDAY 3 Properties, however, XBOX Glyphs (button icons) will be displayed in-game instead of PlayStation Glyphs.
- (Steam) Canceling a menu purchase of a mod or weapon with the escape key won’t work. Press to decline with the mouse, or complete the purchase to exit the prompt.
XBOX
- Some players are able to join Invite-only lobbies without being invited by the lobby leader.
Heists
- A rare lighting bug can occur on several heists where a flat, static plane of shadow can appear.
- Turbid Station
  - SWAT units may be unable to leave their spawn points resulting in fewer enemies.
  - Enemies can unintentionally walk and shoot through one of the basement doors.
- Fear & Greed
  - Crew AI (Bots) may be unable to move from their spawn location on the roof.
- Boys in Blue
  - SWAT units may be unable to navigate around the gate at the back of the inner courtyard.
  - The colors in the evidence room may appear desaturated.
- Delivery Charge
  - In rare cases, game sounds may cease to function other than Gunshots and Sound Effects.

Mods and file checks

Installed mods may conflict with Update 3.8, even when they do not appear related to the changed systems. Removing mods is a useful first check if the game begins behaving strangely after the update.

For an unmodded installation, the notice recommends verifying the game files from the PAYDAY 3 Properties menu in the Steam library. The process can take some time, but it may help repair problems caused by damaged or missing files.

Have you tried the Cook Off rework yet? Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, Telegram.

Payday 3 is the much anticipated sequel to one of the most popular co-op shooters ever. Since its release, Payday-players have been reveling in the thrill of a perfectly planned and executed heist. That’s what makes Payday a high-octane, co-op FPS experience without equal. Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law-enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement.