Payday 3 will require an always-on internet connection

Starbreeze’s global brand director Almir Listo has confirmed that Payday 3, the highly-anticipated shooter, will require players to be connected online at all times. Listo explained that because the game is made in the Unreal Engine and utilizes cross-progression and cross-play, an internet connection is necessary whether you are playing alone or with a squad. He stated, “You will be able to play it by yourself, but I do believe you will have to have a connection in order to play because it’s made in the Unreal Engine, it’s using cross-progression, [and] cross-play. I do believe we need you to be online.” This information was revealed during a recent live stream.

Unsurprisingly, the decision to require an always-on internet connection for Payday 3 has not been well-received by some players. The game’s Steam and subreddit discussion forums have been filled with messages from disappointed players who have expressed their unhappiness for various reasons, including issues with internet service and a desire for modding capabilities.

At this point, it should be noted that while Listo’s comments strongly suggest the always-on requirement, it has not been formally confirmed by Starbreeze. As of now, there has been no official clarification regarding this matter. Any updates or changes will be reported as they become available.

Payday 3 is scheduled to be released on September 21, 2023, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game offers two distinct experiences. One is a tense multiplayer stealth experience inspired by films like Mission Impossible, where players must navigate the environment, incapacitate guards, and utilize high-tech equipment to complete missions silently. The other is an all-out shooter experience, featuring intense action and a fast-paced gameplay style, where players must acquire cash and escape to a getaway vehicle. Producer Andreas Häll-Penninger described Payday 3 as a modernized version of the Payday feeling, combining the pacing, movement, and gunplay of the previous games with the elements of a modern first-person shooter.