Summary
The company behindPayday, Starbreeze, is developing an officially licensedDungeons and Dragonsvideo game. This news follows this year’sdisappointingPayday 3launch, which delivered a blow to Starbreeze’s reputation.
Despite the issues withPayday 3, Starbreeze generally has a history of offering solid cooperative multiplayer games.Payday 2, developed by Starbreeze subsidiary Overkill Studios, was a massive critical and commercial success, with fans praising its unique mechanics and potential for emergent, strategic co-op gameplay. The game maintained a fairly strong player base over the last decade, due in part to the wealth of content it received post-release, in the form of both free expansions and paid DLC. Starbreeze’s commitment to this live-service model has helpedPayday2’s longevity, something thecompany plans to repeat withPayday 3.
IGNreports Starbreeze will be expanding its live-service offerings with a licensedDungeons and Dragonsgame. The Swedish developer recently made a statement announcing the game, which has been codenamedProjekt Baxter, stating that it will take place in theD&Duniverse and launch sometime in 2026. A press release from Starbreeze describes the game as containing “the signature Starbreeze game cornerstones of co-operative multiplayer, lifetime commitment through a Games as a Service-model, community engagement and a larger than life experience.”
Very little is known aboutProjekt Baxterat this stage, but it will be interesting to see how the game’s development unfolds. Starbreeze’s mishandling ofPayday 3, along with the fact thatProjekt Baxterwill most likely be compared toGOTY hopefulBaldur’s Gate 3, may not exactly inspire confidence in many gamers, however. Indeed, the timing of this announcement may result in some additional pressure being placed onProjekt Baxter, as the standard for aDungeons and Dragonsvideo game has been significantly raised this year thanks toBG3.
Having said that, there’s a good chance thatProjekt Baxterwill end up as a high-quality release worthy ofD&Dprestige. The hit that Starbreeze took to its reputation following the rough launch ofPayday 3will hopefully discourage any rushing or corner-cutting withProjekt Baxter’s development. Moreover, Starbreeze can apply its experience with co-op to makeProjekt Baxtermore centered on multiplayer, better emulating the organic gameplay of tabletopDungeons and Dragons. On top of this,whileBaldur’s Gate 3is a CRPG,Projekt Baxterdoesn’t have to be, and could perhaps adopt a more unexpected genre, making it a unique spin on the license.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
