Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios has fully acquired the Payday franchise rights, with Overkill Software now primed to drop all Payday 2 microtransactions.
In a deal said to be worth upwards of $30 million, the news brings Starbreeze’s partnership with 505 Games to an end, after the latter studio assisted with publishing Payday 2 three years ago.
Now, Starbreeze’s focus is firmly on the future of the Payday series. In an official blog post, CEO Bo Andersson Klint revealed plans to support the crime caper sequel for a further 18 months, while there’s also mention of a Payday 3 further in the press release.
“Payday is very close to my heart, and has laid the foundation for Starbreeze success in recent years. We’re very excited to bring our heisters home to the safe house. To start with, we believe in the continued success of Payday 2 and will support it for at least another 18 months continuing expanding the game.
Breaking down the financials of the new deal, Starbreeze goes on to note that 505 Games will continue to receive a “33 percent revenue share” from the publisher.
505 Games will retain a 33 percent revenue share of Starbreeze’s net revenues from future sales of Payday 3 capped at $40 million, and after Starbreeze has fully recouped its development and marketing costs.”
Payday 2 users can rejoice in knowing that the actioner will continue to receive post-launch support for a further 18 months. As for Payday 3, all signs point to an announcement during E3.
