Payday 3 will require an internet connection to play, and that’s left the Payday community unhappy ahead of the upcoming shooter game‘s release in 2023. The announcement has also prompted some players to cancel their pre-orders in protest, adding to the ongoing debate surrounding online-DRM.
Other games are also making use of this requirement, but Payday 3’s announcement has become a trending topic nonetheless. Redfall and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League both confirmed the need for an always-online connection in the past few weeks, too. Payday developer Overkill has now responded to the negative reception and explained why it’s requiring an internet connection for Payday 3.
Payday 3 Requires an Internet Connection to Play
“Payday 3 requires an internet connection to play,” an update from Payday’s community manager begins. “This includes the single-player campaign, the story, and all the other modes you can play. There is no offline mode.”
Overkill has since become aware of player dissatisfaction surrounding this requirement, and answered questions during a recent livestream. When asked about Payday 3’s offline mode, the answer was clear: “There is no offline mode.” This came after a previous answer confirming that the online requirement is due to the game’s use of Unreal Engine and its cross-progression and cross-play features.
You can see the full question and answer session in the video above, courtesy of Slapmymike.
The Payday subreddit has also filled with discussions regarding this decision, and there’s lots of posts highlighting players’ discontent. Some are expressing concerns about potential server shutdowns, loss of game progress, and limited access for players in rural areas.
Some players, however, are taking action. A popular post on the subreddit encourages other players to “vote with their wallet,” encouraging them to cancel their pre-orders. “We need to make it clear that this is not okay, and if we don’t, then we’re condoning it,” the post reads. Another player even plans to wait six months before playing the game entirely, despite already having their pre-order.
“It’s a bit of a relief, to be honest,” one player replies to the post, regarding the always-online requirement being confirmed. “I was worried about losing access to my single-player progress if the servers go down.”
Others, however, are expressing their disappointment and taking action. “I’m canceling my pre-order,” one player replies. “I’m not playing it otherwise, and I doubt many others will either.”
The decision to require an internet connection for gameplay has sparked a debate among the gaming community, and Payday 3 is the latest game to fall foul of the ongoing trend.
While some players are concerned about potential issues that may arise from the always-online requirement, others are simply unhappy about the decision. For some, it’s led to a positive feeling that they “dodged a bullet,” while others are taking action by canceling their pre-orders to voice their dissatisfaction.
Find out who the 12 best Payday 2 heisters are if you’re planning to play the upcoming multiplayer game.
