What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Starbreeze has announced the cancellation of its Dungeons & Dragons game, Project Baxter, following a strategic review. The company will instead concentrate resources on its successful Payday franchise. This decision results in an impairment charge of approximately $27.2 million and affects about 44 developers, some of whom will be reassigned within the company. Starbreeze aims to enhance the Payday series, including the development of Payday 3, and expand the heisting genre with new games and experiences.
Why It's Important?
The decision to focus on the Payday franchise reflects Starbreeze's strategy to capitalize on its most successful intellectual property, aiming to strengthen its market position in the heisting genre. This move is significant for the gaming industry as it highlights the challenges developers face in resource allocation and project prioritization. The shift may impact employees and the broader gaming community, as well as influence future trends in game development and live-engagement models.
What's Next?
Starbreeze plans to grow the team working on Payday 3 and continue updating the game to enhance player engagement. The company is also exploring new heisting experiences and franchise expansions to new platforms. These efforts aim to make Starbreeze cash-flow positive by 2026. The focus on live-engagement games suggests a trend towards sustainable, long-term player engagement strategies in the gaming industry.
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