Payday 3: Always-Online Decision Disappoints Fans and Raises Concerns
Payday 3 is confirmed to be always-online, and the decision is raising concerns among Payday players about the future of the FPS game and its potential longevity. Following the news, Payday 3 players are expressing disappointment and worry about the heist game’s future in comments on various platforms, with some even comparing Payday 3’s fate to “death row.”
Payday 3 global brand director Almir Listo confirmed the news during a recent stream, stating that while players can play solo, an internet connection will still be required.
“You can play solo, but you still have to be online. It’s an online game,” Listo said. “The reason for that is because of cross-progression functionality, and also because we have cross-play. So all of those features require an online connection.”
Listo’s explanation is in line with what many suspected, as the decision is based on Payday 3 being developed using the Unreal Engine. However, the news is a significant departure from previous Payday games, as both Payday 2 and the original Payday gave players the option of playing offline modes that allowed them to complete heists with AI companions.
Payday 3 “Death Row” Fan Quotes
Here are some of the most notable quotes from Payday fans responding to the news:
“Very sad to see them take this route,” one fan on the game’s Steam forums says. “They should have just waited until they can do it without requiring an online connection. I don’t know any serious gamer that prefers games that require you to be online at all times.”
“I don’t want to be online all the time, so I don’t play games that require that,” another replies. “It’s a shame because Payday 2 was my favorite game for years. They had a good thing going and now this.”
The sentiment is echoed by many, with players expressing their dislike of always-online features and concerns about the game’s future support and accessibility. Some also worry about potential interruptions during gameplay due to dodgy internet connections.
Another worry is the impact on the Payday modding scene. While some see potential benefits such as better telemetry and reduced cheating, they also express reservations and promise to hold Starbreeze accountable if the servers fail.
“I am disappointed that they are going to be forcing an always-online connection on us,” another fan says. “I don’t mind it being online but I hope it is only for the multiplayer part of the game and not for the single-player.”
“I can live with it if they just lock off the heisters and missions from being played solo,” another replies. “But if they also make the single-player part of the game dependent on the connection, I will not play it.”
Some players cautiously welcomed the news, highlighting potential benefits such as better telemetry and reduced cheating. However, they also expressed reservations and promised to hold Starbreeze accountable if the servers fail.
Overall, the reaction among Payday players is mainly negative, with only a few cautiously optimistic voices.
