A New 4-Player Co-Op Payday Game was Just Announced, But With an Asterisk Attached

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A new Payday game is coming soon, letting up to four players team up for heists! However, there’s a twist: Payday: Aces High is built specifically for virtual reality. While the developers aren’t revealing everything just yet, this new version marks a big change for the Payday series, offering a completely different way to experience the action.

For the past ten years, Starbreeze Studios has primarily focused on cooperative crime games. The second game in the series, released in 2013, was a huge success, selling over 40 million copies and keeping the company stable during difficult times. However, the launch of the third main Payday game in 2023 was problematic, receiving negative reviews and suffering from many technical issues. Despite these challenges, the Payday franchise remains incredibly popular, with over 50 million players and total revenue exceeding $400 million. The newest installment, Payday: Aces High, is being created in partnership with Fast Travel Games, a Stockholm-based studio known for immersive games like Apex Construct and Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice.

Stepping Into the Shoes of a New Crew

This new installment of the Payday universe introduces an entirely new crew of criminals, separate from the original gang. The developers at Fast Travel Games wanted this fresh start to allow for greater creative control while staying true to the established gritty world. The story centers around revenge: this new team was framed for a crime and is now determined to get even with the powerful businessman, Warren Jupiter. Their quest for payback will lead them through daring heists at places like banks, museums, and a luxurious penthouse. But it’s not just about the money; they aim to dismantle Jupiter’s entire operation with a mix of calculated precision and explosive chaos.

The gameplay stays true to what made the series popular, but with a more interactive experience. Players select one of four character types – the Mastermind, Ghost, Technician, or Enforcer – each with unique skills. The Mastermind (Ace of Hearts) is the planner, the Ghost (Ace of Clubs) focuses on stealth, the Technician (Ace of Diamonds) uses gadgets, and the Enforcer (Ace of Spades) provides brute force. Like previous games, Payday: Aces High involves completing jobs to earn money and reputation, which you can then use to unlock a wider range of weapons – including rifles and shotguns – and tools like sentry guns.

Since this game is designed only for virtual reality, the developers had to reimagine many familiar gameplay elements to make them feel realistic in a 3D world. For example, stealth sections, previously relying on button presses, now let you interact with the environment naturally. Every weapon and tool has been specifically designed for VR, so actions like reloading a gun or setting up a grappling hook feel physical. You can play Payday: Aces High with up to four friends online, or enjoy the entire game on your own. The game will also connect players using Meta Quest headsets with those on SteamVR, allowing for cross-platform play.

This VR game is just the beginning for the Payday franchise, with Starbreeze Studios planning a significant expansion. Company executive Matt Dixon sees Payday as key to their future growth, and they want to bring the world of heists to more platforms. They’re even exploring opportunities in film and television – Vice Studios has already secured the rights to create a movie or TV show. Former CEO Tobias Sjögren believes a live-action project would be ideal, allowing for deeper character development than games often allow. Payday: Aces High is slated for release later this year, bringing the familiar masked action to new VR hardware.

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2026-03-24 21:42