Payday 3 is shaping up to be another fantastic heist game in the mold set by the series, but there’s a new challenger in the wings – and it’s somewhat of an inside job. At Gamescom 2023, PCGamesN spoke to former Payday and Payday 2 leads Ulf Andersson and Simon Viklund about the upcoming co-op game they’re working on with their new studio, GTFO developer 10 Chambers Collective.
Both Andersson and Viklund worked on Payday: The Heist and Payday 2 – Andersson as its lead designer, Viklund as its composer. They’re now acting as game director and narrative director respectively on a new project that looks to learn from what the pair achieved with the Payday series, but aims to expand on areas where that game is naturally limited.
With ten years having passed since the launch of Payday 2, Andersson notes that his sensibilities and priorities have changed. Part of that is creating a more interesting pacing. “Payday builds up and just stays on that high note,” he remarks, explaining that it was tough to ramp down once things had kicked off.
Viklund expands on this idea further: “If you’re starting in stealth [in Payday] and you get found out, it just stays full-on combat, basically, all the way through until you either fail the heist, or you succeed.” 10 Chambers’ GTFO, by comparison, has a much more stop-start structure, where spikes of action punctuate the more quiet, suspenseful stealth sections.
The new game is designed to offer a ‘hardcore cooperative’ experience that’s easier to get into than GTFO, gradually challenging players as they progress. It will support at least four players, but the team wants to cater to people who want to play solo. Instead of a traditional class-based system, the team aims to provide a more flexible approach that doesn’t restrict players’ choices.
The game’s theme revolves around ‘late stage capitalism,’ exploring the classic corporate structure and questioning who the enemy truly is. It aims to reinvent what a heist can be by offering players the opportunity to deviate from their clients’ requests and pursue personal gain.
The game has been in development for about three years, with the concept dating back even further. However, the team is not ready to reveal a release date yet, as they prioritize delivering a game that is ‘good enough.’ They are open to early access, as they appreciate the opportunity to test and analyze player experiences rather than simply pandering to preferences.
Regarding monetization, the team plans to focus on quality and content rather than resorting to pay-to-win or gambling mechanics. While cosmetic items like hats may be included, the developers emphasize that the overall goal is to provide a high-quality experience for players.
Andersson believes that winning over Payday fans is not necessarily the team’s main objective. They aim to create games they enjoy making and hope that people will appreciate that. However, he acknowledges that Payday players may find elements they like in their new game, and vice versa.
The upcoming project by 10 Chambers Collective will undoubtedly introduce fresh ideas to the heist game genre, challenging the established norms set by Payday. Fans of the series and newcomers alike can look forward to a cooperative experience that balances stealth and action, encouraging players to constantly challenge themselves. As the development progresses, more details will be revealed about the game’s name and features.
