Starbreeze has cancelled the co-op Dungeons and Dragons game announced in 2023 to focus its resources on the Payday franchise, leading to layoffs of approximately 44 employees.

CEO Adolf Kristjansson called this a “difficult but necessary decision” aimed at returning the company to positive cash flow by 2026. In his statement, he emphasized the importance of the Payday brand, asserting it has unmatched potential in gaming. The strategy will now accelerate content delivery and reinforce Starbreeze’s leadership in the heisting genre.

Previously known as Project Baxter, the canceled D&D game was meant to be a significant new addition to their lineup but has now been shelved indefinitely. Kristjansson believes concentrating on Payday will help the company create sustained value for its players and stakeholders.

As part of a strategy update, Starbreeze plans ongoing enhancements to Payday 3, hoping to evolve it into a modern live-engagement platform for millions of players.

This restructuring resembles a trend in the gaming industry, with other companies like Funcom and Avalanche also announcing significant layoffs recently.