Payday 3 is coming but it's still "years away" from release

Payday 3
(Image credit: Koch)

Payday 3 is real, it's in development, and it has a prospective release window. 

All of that needed to be clarified because Payday developer Starbreeze has had a difficult few years, staring down the barrel of bankruptcy before securing Koch Media as the publisher of the long-awaited sequel to 2013's Payday 2. 

"At Starbreeze, we see PayDay as the ultimate bank robbing experience. Inspired by classic heist movies, providing adrenaline-fuelled gameplay where you get to experience the thrill of being on the wrong side of the law with a master plan and a gun in your hand," says Almir Listo, global brand director. "Our ever growing player community, our heisters, continues to be an inspiration in whatever we do, helping to make the best Payday possible."

While Starbreeze was unable to share many more details about Payday 3, it has confirmed that the co-op shooter is still "years away" as it targets a 2023 release date. Erik Wonnevi, game director, also says that the sequel will honor the legacy of Payday 2, expanding on the "ongoing narrative that has been created over the years".

A representative from Prime Matter, the new premium gaming label created by Koch to publish its portfolio of upcoming games, also teased that Payday 3 "utilizes new technology to create a fully-fledged social heist universe." We'll likely have to wait a little longer to see how that materializes. 

For now, let's just be happy that Payday 3 is real and coming in 2023 for PC and unspecified consoles, a co-op centric multiplayer game that will let us live out our twisted fantasy of being a world class career criminal.   

For more on this week's announcements, be sure to check out our E3 2021 guide. 

Josh West
UK Managing Editor, GamesRadar+

Josh West is the UK Managing Editor of GamesRadar+. He has over 10 years experience in online and print journalism, and holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Feature Writing. Prior to starting his current position, Josh has served as GR+'s Features Editor and Deputy Editor of games™ magazine, and has freelanced for numerous publications including 3D Artist, Edge magazine, iCreate, Metal Hammer, Play, Retro Gamer, and SFX. Additionally, he has appeared on the BBC and ITV to provide expert comment, written for Scholastic books, edited a book for Hachette, and worked as the Assistant Producer of the Future Games Show. In his spare time, Josh likes to play bass guitar and video games. Years ago, he was in a few movies and TV shows that you've definitely seen but will never be able to spot him in.