Starbreeze has cancelled its upcoming Dungeons and Dragons live‑service project codenamed Baxter, saying it will redeploy resources to its PAYDAY franchise. The studio described the move as a problematic but necessary strategic shift, and it comes with a roughly SEK 255 million non‑cash impairment booked in the third quarter of 2025.
The Baxter project was announced back in 2023 with a planned 2026 release and a promise of lifetime support through a Games as a Service model. Development updates in 2024 said the game was “growing as planned” and “continues at full speed”, but Starbreeze now says it has discontinued Baxter after a strategic review.
News of the cancellation was reported after an announcement spotted by Eurogamer, and confirmed by Starbreeze’s own press release on the company’s site. The press release says the studio’s resources are better used to accelerate the growth of its flagship PAYDAY franchise, which it calls one of the most iconic IPs in gaming.
“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.”
Next Steps
Starbreeze says part of the Baxter team will be redeployed across other projects, most prominently within PAYDAY. The company will provide support to affected employees when internal opportunities are limited, but it also expects to reduce headcount by approximately 44 FTEs across staff and contractors to lower its ongoing cost base.
The press release also highlights PAYDAY’s reach, noting the franchise has expanded to over 50 million players worldwide and generated close to SEK 4 billion in lifetime gross revenue. Starbreeze says it will continue to deliver new content, with more frequent updates, fresh content drops, and ongoing live engagement while exploring other experiences and markets for the franchise.
Starbreeze’s decision alters the short-term roadmap for a high-profile third-party Dungeons & Dragons title, and it tightens the studio’s bet on PAYDAY and live-service content. Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
