Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Starbreeze Cancels D&D Project Baxter to Refocus on Payday

A strategic review concluded the company should concentrate investment on Payday to build a live-engagement platform.

Overview

  • Starbreeze will record a non-cash impairment of approximately SEK 255 million in Q3 2025 tied to the cancellation.
  • Roughly 44 full-time employees and contractors are set to lose their jobs, with the exact number subject to ongoing union negotiations.
  • Some Baxter developers will be redeployed to other projects as the company offers transition support where internal roles are limited.
  • The studio plans to grow the Payday 3 team to about 50 employees by year-end and pursue spin-offs and selective work-for-hire to diversify revenue.
  • CEO Adolf Kristjansson said the decision targets long-term value creation, noting Payday has engaged over 50 million players and generated nearly SEK 4 billion in lifetime gross revenue.