Starbreeze Entertainment's Payday 3 is getting a much-requested Offline Mode later this month, but with a significant caveat: an internet connection is still required. This addition follows considerable player backlash over the game's initial launch without offline play.
The Payday series, known for its cooperative gameplay and focus on elaborate heists, debuted in 2011 with Payday: The Heist. Payday 3 significantly enhanced stealth mechanics, offering players greater freedom in mission approaches. The upcoming "Boys in Blue" update on June 27th introduces a new heist and this highly anticipated feature.
While the new Offline Mode is launching in beta, allowing solo players to bypass matchmaking, it necessitates an online connection. Starbreeze plans to eventually enable full offline functionality, addressing a major point of contention alongside the absence of features like The Safehouse.
This solo mode, currently in beta, is slated for improvement, according to Starbreeze's Head of Community and Global Brand Director, Almir Listo. The June 27th update will also include a new heist, free in-game items, upgrades, a new LMG, three new masks, and the ability to name custom loadouts.
Payday 3's launch was plagued by server issues, prompting an apology from CEO Tobias Sjögren. Subsequent updates have addressed some concerns, but criticism remains regarding the limited initial content (eight heists) and the paid DLC model for future heist expansions like the $10 "Syntax Error" heist.
