Starbreeze Cancels ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Payday Co-Op Game
- Starbreeze Studios, the Swedish developer behind the Payday franchise, has canceled "Project Baxter," a Dungeons & Dragons-based game. The cancellation was announced on September 27, 2024, as part...
- It was known to be a cooperative first-person shooter set within the Dungeons & Dragons universe.The project was initiated following the success of Larian Studios' baldur's Gate 3,...
- Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson described the cancellation as a "difficult but necessary decision." The company is prioritizing its core Payday franchise, citing its strong performance and future potential.
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Project Baxter: Dungeons & Dragons Game Canceled by Starbreeze
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Published October 5, 2025, at 01:32:44 AM PDT
What Happened?
Starbreeze Studios, the Swedish developer behind the Payday franchise, has canceled “Project Baxter,” a Dungeons & Dragons-based game. The cancellation was announced on September 27, 2024, as part of a strategic shift to focus on the Payday series. Starbreeze’s official press release details the decision.
The game was in early development, adn details were scarce. It was known to be a cooperative first-person shooter set within the Dungeons & Dragons universe.The project was initiated following the success of Larian Studios’ baldur’s Gate 3, which demonstrated strong consumer interest in Dungeons & Dragons video games. Gizmodo reported on the popularity of Baldur’s Gate 3 in August 2023.
Why Was Project baxter canceled?
Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson described the cancellation as a “difficult but necessary decision.” The company is prioritizing its core Payday franchise, citing its strong performance and future potential. The strategic shift aims to maximize shareholder value by concentrating resources on proven assets. According to the press release, this refocus will allow Starbreeze to fully leverage the Payday IP.
Financial considerations likely played a significant role. Developing a new IP, especially one tied to a major franchise like Dungeons & Dragons, requires significant investment. Starbreeze’s decision suggests they assessed the risks and potential returns of Project Baxter and determined they were not favorable enough compared to continuing development and expansion of the Payday series.
Who is Affected?
The cancellation primarily affects Starbreeze Studios and the development team working on Project baxter. The press release did not specify the number of employees impacted,but it’s reasonable to assume some staff will be reassigned to Payday projects or potentially face layoffs.
Fans anticipating a new Dungeons & Dragons video game from starbreeze are also affected.While Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro will likely pursue other development partnerships, this cancellation removes one potential title from the pipeline.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | Baldur’s Gate 3 gains significant popularity, highlighting demand for Dungeons & Dragons video games. |
| September 27, 2024 | Starbreeze announces the cancellation of Project Baxter. |
| October 5, 2025 | This article published. |