Payday 3’s Big Update Doubles Player Count – But Is It Enough to Save the Game?

As a long-time fan of the Payday series, it’s wild to see Payday 3 back in the news-for good reasons, this time. After months of watching its Steam population crater, I had basically written off Starbreeze’s latest co-op heist FPS as a cautionary tale. But the new Party Powder update, a genuinely game-changing armor overhaul, and a spike in player numbers have me wondering: is this the start of a real Payday 3 comeback, or just a temporary blip?

Payday 3: A Comeback Attempt with Party Powder, Armor 2.0, and More

Key Takeaways

Player count tripled after update, but still far below Payday 2’s numbers
Party Powder DLC adds a more open-ended heist design, finally listening to fan feedback
Armor 2.0 brings long-requested customization, addressing one of Payday 3’s biggest pain points
Starbreeze’s full publishing control could signal more responsive updates-but reputation damage lingers

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Starbreeze Studios
Release Date	September 21, 2023
Genres	First-Person Shooter, Co-op, Heist
Platforms	PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Payday 3 new heist gameplay showing player characters infiltrating a party venue. — **Party Powder’s open-ended heist is a clear nod to the flexibility fans loved in Payday 2.**

Let’s not sugarcoat it-Payday 3’s launch in September 2023 was a mess. Server issues, rigid heists, and a clunky armor system hammered the game’s reputation, leaving many players (myself included) longing for the depth and jank of Payday 2. Steam reviews quickly tanked to “mixed,” and player counts flatlined at a few hundred. Meanwhile, its predecessor still pulls 15,000+ regulars. That’s a disaster for a supposed flagship sequel.

Payday 3 character customizing armor in the new Armor 2.0 system. — **Armor 2.0 finally lets players build their own protection loadout—an overdue fix for rigid gear design.**

But here’s what’s interesting: Starbreeze is clearly listening. The Party Powder DLC ($) brings back the open-ended, player-driven approach that made the series a cult hit. You can tackle objectives in any order, find multiple entry routes, and improvise your way through chaos. That’s classic Payday energy, and it’s about time. Meanwhile, the free Justicar revolver and the new customizable armor system give everyone, not just DLC owners, a reason to check back in.

Payday 3 heist crew planning inside a neon-lit venue. — **The new heist’s setting and structure show a push toward player creativity—something missing at launch.**

Stats don’t lie: right before this update, Payday 3 was bottoming out at around 800 concurrents. After Party Powder and Armor 2.0 dropped? Nearly 3,000. That’s a massive leap, even if it’s still far from Payday 2’s golden years. It does suggest that with the right changes, players are willing to give this game another shot.

Payday 3 crew escaping with loot in the new Party Powder heist. — **If Starbreeze keeps up this momentum, Payday 3 might finally live up to its co-op legacy.**

Of course, one good update won’t erase months of broken promises. Starbreeze now fully controls publishing for Payday 3, so there’s no one else to blame—or credit—for future decisions. If these improvements keep coming and Starbreeze genuinely commits to player feedback, Payday 3 could finally become the heist game we wanted last year. If not, it risks fading into obscurity for good.

For gamers, this moment is a test. Do you trust Starbreeze to keep the momentum going? Or is this just another short-lived spike? Either way, it’s worth watching—especially if you’ve missed the wild, improvisational thrill that made Payday 2 a classic. Here’s hoping the next updates don’t drop the ball.

TL;DR: Payday 3’s big update and new DLC have finally moved the needle, tripling player numbers and addressing player complaints. But after such a rocky launch, Starbreeze has a long way to go to win back the heisting faithful. It’s a good sign—just don’t call it a comeback yet.

Source: Starbreeze Studios via GamesPress