Payday 3, the highly anticipated follow-up to one of the most beloved co-op titles on the PC, recently made a controversial announcement. During a recent live stream, Almir Listo, Global Brand Director at Starbreeze, confirmed that the game will require an always-online connection – even for those players intending to play solo.
Payday 3 appears to be courting a disastrous launch with the way that things are going right now.
This shift in design, attributed to the game’s construction in the Unreal Engine and its use of cross-progression and cross-play mechanics, has created a significant stir within the game’s community. Indeed, the requirement for a constant internet connection has already caused distress among players on the game’s Steam and subreddit discussion forums, many of whom have been left disconcerted by the announcement.
Arguments against an always-online model stem from a variety of concerns. A significant number of players have expressed apprehension over their potentially unstable or inconsistent internet service. The fear of being unable to play due to server issues or routine maintenance is a frustrating prospect.
Others, however, are lamenting the potential loss of the modding community – a major aspect that has kept previous titles in the series alive and bustling. Implementing an always-online model can indeed limit the ability of players to modify the game, thus potentially reducing its longevity and appeal to a certain segment of the fan base.
Several players have also called out Listo and Starbreeze for using Unreal Engine as an excuse. Several games feature both cross-progression and cross-play and still have offline modes. This has led to questions about whether the always-online requirement is a genuine necessity or a choice by the developers.
That being said, some players are less troubled by the decision. They argue that the online requirement could be similar to Grand Theft Auto Online and other such games, where progression data isn’t stored locally but on a server, thus requiring a network connection for profile loading and data saving. Moreover, the game’s focus on co-op gameplay makes the online requirement a necessity for many.
From the developer’s perspective, the introduction of an always-online system may be a way to modernize the franchise. Its a feature that aims to seamlessly blend single-player and multiplayer experiences, which aligns with the game’s goal to give fans a versatile experience akin to a Mission Impossible-esque stealth encounter, or an all-out shooter experience.
Starbreeze has been careful to address the game’s evolution, striving to retain the core Payday feeling while modernizing the key aspects to match the expectations of contemporary gaming. As producer Andreas Häll-Penninger pointed out, they aim to ensure the pacing, movement, and gunplay feel like Payday, while also providing a modern FPS game experience.
However, it’s important to remember that the final decision on the implementation of this always-online feature remains uncertain.
What’s clear though, is that these kinds of decisions have far-reaching implications for the gaming community, which could have an impact on the game’s reception at launch. They highlight the ever-evolving nature of video games and the need for developers to balance the desire for innovation with the needs and desires of their player base.
As we approach Payday 3’s release on September 21, it will be interesting to see how Starbreeze navigates its way through this storm. Will they stay the course, or will the voices of their concerned community prompt a change in direction? Only time will tell.
At the very least, Payday 3 will be priced lower compared to its contemporaries. Also, while the game’s graphics, based on the recently leaked footage, have drawn criticism, the developers are likely looking to improve this in time. Keep in mind that Payday 2 remains alive to this date after being released in 2013. So, while most developers are looking to impress audiences as soon as the game rolls out, Starbreeze might be looking to play the long game.
