Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

PM – Starbreeze

Starbreeze is an independent developer, publisher and distributor of PC and console games for a global market, with studios or teams in Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris and London.

corporate.starbreeze.com

Starbreeze AB (publ) today announces that it will discontinue development of Project Baxter. Following a strategic review, the Board of Directors and management have concluded that resources are best deployed to accelerate the growth of Starbreeze's flagship PAYDAY franchise. The decision results in a non-cash impairment of approximately SEK 255 million in the third quarter of 2025 related to previously capitalized development costs. The write-down reflects disciplined portfolio management, ensuring that investment is concentrated in projects with the greatest long-term value creation potential.
"This was a difficult but necessary decision," said Adolf Kristjansson, CEO of Starbreeze. "Our strategy is clear: PAYDAY is one of the most iconic IPs in gaming, with unmatched reach and potential. By focusing our investment and talent here, we can accelerate delivery, engage players with more content, and reinforce Starbreeze's position as the clear leader in the heisting genre. This is about sharpening our focus to create the strongest long-term value for our players, our people, and our shareholders."

Talent redeployment strengthens core projects
Part of the Baxter team will be redeployed across Starbreeze's projects, most prominently within PAYDAY. This redeployment strengthens ongoing delivery, reduces reliance on external recruitment, and ensures expertise is concentrated where it creates the most impact.

Where internal opportunities are limited, Starbreeze will provide active support for affected employees to transition to new roles across the industry.

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

Seeing as it was a GaaS D&D title, I don't think it will be a big loss for the industry.

News  Thread 'Payday studio Starbreeze is making a Dungeons and Dragons live service game (coming in 2026)'

Dec 4, 2023

​

Payday maker Starbreeze is developing a Dungeons and Dragons game codenamed Project Baxter, it has announced.

The company said it will "carry 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".

Produced with Unreal Engine 5 and featuring...

• Draugoth
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Gaming Discussion

• 
• 
• 

Payday maker Starbreeze is developing a Dungeons and Dragons game codenamed Project Baxter, it has announced.

The company said it will "carry 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".

 

[Hudo]

Starbreeze only made one good game: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. And even that was only in cooperation with Tigon Studios.

 

[calistan]

Starbreeze only made one good game: The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. And even that was only in cooperation with Tigon Studios.

The Darkness was outstanding. Dark Athena was also great, as was Brothers. And given that Tigon's sole purpose seems to be to give Vin Diesel a production credit in some licensed properties, I think Starbreeze was the only actual developer of the Riddick games.

 

[ecosse_011172]

I remember the good old days of "The Darkness".
Shame.

 

[Hudo]

The Darkness was outstanding. Dark Athena was also great, as was Brothers. And given that Tigon's sole purpose seems to be to give Vin Diesel a production credit in some licensed properties, I think Starbreeze was the only actual developer of the Riddick games.

I found The Darkness to be disappointing personally. Dark Athena was OK but not as great as the original Riddick game. Never played Brothers. Yeah, Tigon Studios was mostly Vin Diesel's hobby but apparently they did have some good input on the game if you believe interviews that have been made years later.