Payday 3: Everything We Know

In case you missed it, Starbreeze Studios announced in May of 2022 that the third leg of the highly successful Payday series is finally underway. As for what it'll entail and revive from the first two chapters is still anybody's guess, and something that only Overkill Software—the original creator behind the online series—will be able to shed light on as we move forward with the times. But as it currently stands, fans of the franchise can rest assured that Payday 3, at long last, will be coming to PC in 2023.

The good news is, details on the upcoming first-person shooter aren't disappointingly scarce. In fact, both Starbreeze and Overkill have given more than enough details to help aspiring virtual bank robbers whet their appetites for the mayhem that's to come. And so, if you, like us, are keen to learn all there is to learn about the upcoming shooter, then be sure to read on. Here's everything you need to know about Payday 3.

What Is Payday 3?

Payday 3 is an upcoming first-person shooter game by Overkill Software. In a similar fashion to its previous entries, the third chapter will focus on its online multiplayer, a mode in which players must either work together or against one another to earn cash over a variety of dog-eat-dog bank heists and cutthroat schemes. As a general rule of thumb, players with the most cash in their pockets by close of play wind up being the victors, whereas those left in either body bags or handcuffs are branded losers.

“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,” the Steam description reads. “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.”

So, what more do you need to know about it? Besides the obvious (that being the general gist of the game's primary mode), what else do you need to scribble down before securing that all-important pre-order over on Steam?

Story

It goes without saying that Payday 3, similar to the first two games, isn't overly concerned about the general flow of the plotline itself. Instead, its primary objective is to supply online lobbies with unforgettable gameplay experiences, all of which will incorporate a smooth blend of comradery, teamwork, and even the occasional betrayal. And so, if it's a hard-hitting story-driven game you're looking for, then you may find yourself somewhat disappointed come launch day.

Of course, this isn't to say Payday 3 won't come attached to some form of script. But as far as details on that front go, both Starbreeze and Overkill have been pretty secretive about it. Therefore, it's perhaps best to go at it with an open mind; it isn't exactly off the table, but one shouldn't go expecting it to serve up a gold-plated script and Hollywood-esque cinematics, either.

So, what happened at the end of Payday 2, and more importantly, what spurred the notorious bank robbers to reignite the wick and come back swinging? Well, that's just it. At the end of the second game, the four unlikely friends decided to go their separate ways, which of course led players to believe that the criminal empire had, at long last, been dismantled from the inside out. But as it turns out, the gang isn't quite ready to call it quits, as made clear by the upcoming third instalment.

Gameplay

Payday 3 will of course return to its first-person shooter roots, and will no doubt use high-octane combat and in-your-face profanity to flesh out a fully functioning multiplayer experience for teams to immerse in. To this end, players can expect to see all the same bells and whistles that helped forge the first two games: pre-heist planning, custom loadouts, and team-based tactical role-play that can either make or break a score.

According to the blurb, Payday 3 will be set in New York, and will ask that you and three other friends take its high-end outlets for all they're worth. So, expect plenty of diamond heists, bank robberies, and adrenaline-fueled cat-and-mouse chases.

Development

Developed by Overkill Software, Payday 3 will serve as the third main instalment in the decade-old saga, an entry which comes after years worth of Payday 2 DLC. According to Starbreeze Studio, the game will be built using Unreal Engine, and will be available on PC via Steam at some point in 2023.

Trailer

Starbreeze Studios first brought the Payday 3 trailer to light at the beginning of January 2023. Although relatively short and somewhat cryptic, the two-minute teaser did go on to reveal a number of key details, including a vague release window and the platforms it will be coming to in the foreseeable future. You can see that announcement trailer for yourself in the embedded video above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Payday 3 will launch on an undisclosed date in 2023 on PC via Steam. As for general console releases, neither Starbreeze nor Overkill have yet to announce anything that goes beyond the Steam listing. But of course, this isn't to say that it won't be coming to consoles at all, as the other games did eventually go on to find ground on both Xbox and PlayStation following their respective launch dates. Though, at the time of writing, we can neither confirm nor deny any of this, and it mostly boils down to speculation and speculation only.

As well as this, we don't actually know whether or not Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus will recruit Payday 3 into the ranks come launch day. And while it's certainly a possibility, given the fact that the series isn't exactly unaccustomed to either platform, we won't find out for sure until a little ways down the line. And the same goes for its launch editions, too, which haven't been revealed yet, either.

For more information on Payday 3, be sure to follow the official social feed here. If anything pops up ahead of its release, we'll be sure to let you know right here on gaming.net.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Payday 3 when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.