Paydayis a brand that hasn’t had a boost in some time.Payday 2was released in 2013, and while it’s been supported robustly over the years it’s also had its share of controversies. ButPaydayis coming back in a big way, primarily with the release of sequelPayday 3which is relatively planned to arrive in 2023. ButPayday 3isn’t the only game in the works. As a recent trademark registration has shown, mobile spin-offPayday: Crime Waris also set to return soon.
The trademark forPayday: Crime Warwas filed by New Starbreeze Publishing AB mid-2021 in Sweden, adding to recent reporting that the mobile game’s development had been resumed. In April, earlier this year, Starbreeze confirmed that it was working with mobile game developer PopReach to getPayday: Crime Warmade. PopReach, the developer ofWar of NationsandSmurfs' Village, then confirmed in July that it planned to soft launchPayday: Crime War. PopReach has notably made no announcements since.
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For those unfamiliar,Payday: Crime Waris not a new game. Themobile gamewas originally soft-launched back in 2019 as part of a partnership between Starbreeze and NBC Universal. However, the game shut down its servers in December 2019 when NBC Universal shut down its publishing operations. Starbreeze was left with a game near completion but no publisher. The new partnership effectively handsPayday: Crime Waras it currently exists to PopReach, who will take care of all development, publishing, and post-launch operations going forward.
There’s still a lot that can happen in the coming months. PopReach’s silence regardingPayday: Crime War, especially after previously saying it wanted to soft-launch the spin-off in late 2021, is notable. Adapting the game for PopReach’s plans may not have worked out as planned, or it could simply be taking more time than expected.Starbreezehasn’t provided an update on the situation, either.
Starbreeze appears to be hopingPayday: Crime Warwill help to build some energy and excitement surrounding the franchise ahead of its planned release forPayday 3. Starbreeze subsidiaryOverkill Software, the developer ofPaydayandPayday 2, is hard at work on the new game. Koch Media will be publishing, taking over those responsibilities fromPayday 2publisher 505 Games.
ForPaydayfans, there’s a lot to be excited about in the franchise’s future. There’s a potential soft-launch ofPayday: Crime Warlater this year, a potential full launch in 2022, and thenPayday 3to follow in 2023. Considering it’s been eight years ofPayday 2post-launch support, fans are certain to be anxious for something new. They’ll just have to be a patient a bit longer.
Payday: Crime Waris tentatively planned to launch on mobile devices in 2022.
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