Starbreeze has officially taken over the publishing rights for Payday 3 from Plaion, the game’s previous publisher. This move, involving a payment of approximately SEK 33 million ($3.4 million) in class B shares, gives Starbreeze complete control over the Payday 3 license.
According to a press release, this change will allow Starbreeze to accelerate content development and pursue wider business opportunities for the Payday franchise.
In a statement, a Starbreeze board representative said:
This agreement enables Starbreeze to fully acquire the publishing rights to PAYDAY 3 from Plaion, significantly accelerate our content development roadmap, and pursue broader strategic opportunities for the PAYDAY franchise as a whole.
We appreciate PLAION’s support, which underscores their confidence in Starbreeze’ future and strengthens our strategic alignment with major global industry players.
The deal marks the end of the current publishing arrangement between Plaion and Starbreeze, but it does not end their relationship. The companies plan to build a long-term partnership for future Payday franchise projects.
This acquisition focuses solely on Payday 3, which launched in September 2023 to mixed reactions. The game’s rocky start included developer admissions that it felt “unfinished” at launch, a concern that disappointed many fans.
Interestingly, this news comes just months after Starbreeze announced plans to reduce investment in Payday 3’s second year of content.
