PayDay Video Game Series

A series of cooperative action games with a first-person perspective (FPP) view. The series was created by Swedish studio Overkill Software (now a division of Starbreeze Studios), which oversees its development.

The series debuted in 2011 with the game Payday: The Heist, released in versions for PC and PlayStation 3 console. The title went exclusively to digital distribution, where it turned out to be a big hit (more than 1 million copies sold). The success did not escape the attention of Starbreeze, which decided to acquire the Overkill Software studio with a view to producing a sequel. At Payday 2 gamers had to wait two years. This time the game was released in versions for the three leading hardware platforms (PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360), and the publisher - 505 Games - also made an effort to release it on a traditional optical medium.

The theme of the games in the series Payday is "heist." Players have the opportunity to take on the roles of masked criminals who rob banks with guns in hand. Following the example of action movies, the bandits have to overpower security guards, control hostages, bypass various security systems and finally steal the loot. A perfect plan can be ruined by one small mistake, and that means chaos and exchanges of fire with the police, among other things.

The gameplay was designed mainly with multiplayer cooperative play in mind (playing alone, the player can at most cooperate with bots controlled by the computer's artificial intelligence). Cooperation in this case means, for example, shielding teammates, guarding the terrain and sharing ammunition and first-aid kits. Following the example of many online games, there is the possibility of character development and unlocking new weapons and specialized robbery equipment.

On the technical layer, the series Payday is based on the capabilities of the Diesel engine, developed by the now-defunct Grin studio (Ballistics, Bionic Commando, Terminator Salvation) in cooperation with Nvidia. Its successive versions offer attractive three-dimensional graphics with relatively low hardware requirements.

The popularity of the series Payday is reflected in its sales figures. According to estimates by Starbreeze Studios, within a month of its release the game Payday 2 was bought by 1.6 million players, with as many as 80% of them opting for the digital edition.

PayDay Series Evolution

2023

PayDay 3

2013

PayDay 2

2011

PayDay: The Heist

PayDay 3

Action

September 21, 2023

The third installment of the series of co-op, online action games, in which players play the role of criminals, carrying out successive daring raids. The game was created by the team at Overkill Software, i.e. the creators of the two previous parts of the cycle.

PayDay 3

PayDay 2

Action

August 13, 2013

A sequel to the first-person online shooter PayDay: The Heist from 2012. Both games were developed by Overkill Software in co-operation with Starbreeze AG. Players become members of a gang that specializes in bank heists, kidnapping, and drugs transportation. The main campaign consists of six dangerous jobs, offered via the CRIMENET system. The creators of PayDay 2 took special care to diversify the missions – as some mission elements are random, no two playthroughs are exactly the same. Just as in the first game, gameplay puts emphasis on the cooperation of up to four players. The game's impressive visuals are powered by Diesel Engine 2.0.

PayDay 2

PayDay: The Heist

Action

October 18, 2011

Fun-oriented cooperative first-person shooter, developed by debuting studio Overkill Software. In the game, we assume the role of hardened criminals, whose task is the execution of various types of stick-ups and heists, for example a bank heist or an attempt to rescue a prisoner from a police transport car. During the action, we have to incapacitate the security, secure the hostages, have somebody on the lookout, and deactivate various types of security measures. The team members can share their ammunition and first-aid kits, support each other in combat, increasing the chances of success of the whole action. If we lack the necessary number of players, AI assumes the roles of the missing gang members. The character development system is also present: during the game, we unlock new weapons and additional useful equipment. Dynamically changing environment and enemies react to our actions bring an element of randomness into the game, making each heist different from the others.

PayDay: The Heist

PayDay: Crime War

Action

cancelled

A mobile installment in the series of first-person shooters that is popular on consoles and PCs alike. The title was developed by the creators of the main entries of the PayDay franchise – Overkill Software. PayDay: Crime War focuses on multiplayer – the game’s mainstay is team PvP. One team assumes the role of criminals and the other team assumes the role of a SWAT team. The objective of the former is to perform a robbery while the law enforcers are trying to prevent them from succeeding. The game takes place in varied locations. As the player progress in the game, he unlocks new weapons, armors and additional abilities. High-quality graphics and easy controls are big assets to the game.

PayDay: Crime War

PayDay Series News

PayDay 3 Devs Explain Botched Launch