Starbreeze Studios is making a bold move that signals a major shift in strategy. The developer has officially handed over development and maintenance of PAYDAY 2 to another studio, freeing itself to focus entirely on reviving PAYDAY 3, its struggling sequel.

The decision comes after months of lukewarm player reception, technical issues, and declining engagement for PAYDAY 3. Starbreeze’s latest announcement confirms that the company is now “going all-in” on fixing the beleaguered game — even if that means letting go of the heist title that made it famous.


Story Synopsis

PAYDAY 2, one of Steam’s longest-running co-op hits, will now be maintained by Sidetrack Games, a team composed largely of modders and veteran PAYDAY community developers.

According to the official statement, Sidetrack Games will handle patches, quality-of-life improvements, and stability updates for PAYDAY 2’s PC version. Their first patch is scheduled for October 23, 2025, marking the beginning of this transition period.

Meanwhile, Starbreeze will divert all internal resources toward PAYDAY 3, which the company describes as a “modern live-engagement title” intended to anchor the franchise for years to come.

For longtime PAYDAY fans, the move feels bittersweet — signaling both the end of an era and the possible rebirth of another.


What It Means

This decision is not just about delegation — it’s about survival.

By handing PAYDAY 2 off to Sidetrack, Starbreeze is essentially acknowledging it can’t sustain two major live-service games at once. Instead, it’s consolidating resources in hopes of turning PAYDAY 3 from a disappointment into a redemption story.

For players, this shift has clear implications:

  • PAYDAY 2 will continue to receive updates, but likely at a slower, more maintenance-focused pace.
  • Starbreeze’s internal team will focus entirely on PAYDAY 3, signaling that big updates or content drops are on the horizon.
  • The studio is staking its reputation — and possibly its financial stability — on the success of the new installment.

How It Works

Here’s how the transition is being structured:

  • Sidetrack Games will now manage PAYDAY 2’s development, releasing updates, performance patches, and bug fixes for PC players.
  • The first update, expected this month, will focus on stability improvements and minor fixes rather than new content.
  • Starbreeze will remain the publisher and IP holder, ensuring PAYDAY 2 continues to operate under the same brand ecosystem.
  • PAYDAY 3’s live-service development will receive the majority of Starbreeze’s design, engineering, and marketing resources going forward.

In short, PAYDAY 2’s legacy will be preserved by a team of passionate veterans, while Starbreeze turns its attention to the sequel that must succeed.


Why It Matters

The PAYDAY franchise has been one of the most recognizable names in the co-op shooter space for over a decade. PAYDAY 2’s long-term success — over 10 years of active updates — set a gold standard for post-launch support. But PAYDAY 3’s launch fell short of expectations, marred by server instability, matchmaking failures, and player frustration.

By shifting focus, Starbreeze is acknowledging what fans have long demanded: fix the fundamentals first.

If PAYDAY 3 can recover and rebuild its player base through major updates, it could redefine how live-service shooters handle rocky launches. If not, this could be Starbreeze’s final gamble on the IP that built its name.


What’s Next

With the transfer complete, here’s what to expect in the coming months:

  • October 23, 2025: The first Sidetrack Games patch for PAYDAY 2 goes live, focusing on optimization and stability.
  • Late 2025: Starbreeze is expected to unveil a PAYDAY 3 roadmap, featuring overhauls to matchmaking, AI, progression, and cooperative play.
  • 2026: PAYDAY 3’s live-service framework will reportedly expand with seasonal events, new heists, and additional characters.

For now, Starbreeze seems determined to prove it can rebuild player trust — one update at a time.


Tech Tidbits

  • PAYDAY 2 launched in 2013, and has sold over 40 million copies across all platforms.
  • Sidetrack Games is composed of PAYDAY modders and community developers who have worked closely with Starbreeze over the years.
  • PAYDAY 3, launched in 2023, was criticized for weak servers, thin content, and lack of offline play.
  • Starbreeze refers to PAYDAY 3’s future as a “modern live engagement ecosystem”, signaling a long-term service model rather than traditional expansions.

Publication or Release Details

  • Announcement Date: October 21, 2025
  • PAYDAY 2 Patch by Sidetrack Games: October 23, 2025
  • Franchise Owner: Starbreeze Studios
  • Platforms Affected: PC version primarily (console plans not yet confirmed)
  • Focus Shift: Full resource reallocation to PAYDAY 3 development

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