Starbreeze has officially discontinued the development of its forthcoming Dungeons & Dragons game, internally dubbed Project Baxter. The company`s board and management concluded that resources would be more effectively channeled into its highly successful Payday franchise following a thorough strategic review. This decision will result in an impairment charge of approximately SEK 255 million ($27.2 million) for Starbreeze.
Adolf Kristjansson, CEO of Starbreeze, described the move as a “difficult but necessary decision.” He emphasized that Payday stands as one of the gaming world`s most iconic IPs, possessing unparalleled reach and potential. By concentrating investment and talent here, Starbreeze aims to accelerate content delivery, boost player engagement, and solidify its position as the undisputed leader in the heisting game genre. This strategic pivot is designed to maximize long-term value for players, employees, and shareholders alike.
Layoffs and Strategic Focus
While some developers from Project Baxter will be reassigned to other teams within Starbreeze, including the Payday unit, around 44 individuals—comprising full-time employees and contractors—will face layoffs. Starbreeze has pledged to offer active support to these affected employees in transitioning to new roles across the industry. Kristjansson confirmed that Starbreeze is “doubling down” on the heisting genre, which includes both the Payday series and its future expansion. The company anticipates that these strategic adjustments, including the cancellation of Project Baxter and the intensified focus on Payday, will enable it to achieve cash-flow positivity by 2026.
Kristjansson extended his sincere gratitude to the Baxter team for their passion and creativity, and expressed appreciation to Wizards of the Coast for their support. He noted that although the project will not proceed, the achievements and contributions made during its development will benefit Payday and Starbreeze`s future endeavors. He reiterated that concentrating efforts on Payday offers Starbreeze and its employees the strongest chance for success.
Future Plans for Starbreeze
Starbreeze further outlined its future roadmap, with a strong emphasis on the Payday franchise. Despite Payday 3 not yet matching the success of its predecessor, Payday 2, in terms of concurrent players on Steam, Starbreeze remains committed. The company is actively deploying updates and improvements to transform Payday 3 into a “scalable live-engagement platform” capable of attracting millions of players globally. The franchise is set to evolve into a modern live-engagement game through continuous technology upgrades, expansion and refinement of the player experience, and enhanced engagement models designed to be both fair and sustainable. The team dedicated to Payday 3 is expected to grow to approximately 50 people by the end of 2025, scaling further based on player engagement. Meanwhile, Payday 2 continues to receive new updates and recently introduced a subscription offering for all its DLC content.
Expanding the Heisting Genre
To date, the Payday franchise has engaged over 50 million people and generated nearly SEK 4 billion ($427.3 million) in lifetime gross revenue. Building on this immense success, Starbreeze announced plans for “new games and experiences that broaden the heisting genre beyond Starbreeze’s core projects.” These initiatives will encompass spin-offs, narrative-driven titles, and “franchise expansion” onto new platforms. Additionally, Starbreeze will continue to undertake work-for-hire projects to supplement its revenue streams.
Kristjansson concluded by stating that this strategy is fundamentally about “execution and growth—with greater quality and predictability.” The ultimate goal is to ensure Payday continues to evolve as a modern live-engagement game and to create new avenues for players to experience the heisting genre through diverse heisting experiences and special operations. By consistently delivering lasting value to players, Starbreeze aims to strengthen the foundation for its sustainable growth.