If Payday 2 symbolizes anything, it’s the gaming industry’s willingness to cash in on every little victory. Starbreeze Studios, the proud owners of Payday: The Heist developer Overkill Software since June 2012, have announced their intent to launch Payday 2 in August for PC and consoles. The game’s publisher, 505 Games, added that it would not be “limited to digital distribution networks” as retail versions of Payday 2 are planned for PS3 and Xbox 360.
About the shift towards retail for Payday 2, the game’s director David Goldfarb – previously the lead designer for EA’s Battlefield 3 – said:
“We have a bit of a problem here at Overkill – there are just too many great ideas and none that we were really happy to throw out – so PAYDAY 2 has become just too big to reserve release on Xbox Live® and PlayStation®Network alone.
In spite of this decision, 505 Games’ Head of Global Brand, Tim Woodley, seems to have faith in the project, as he went on record with the following statement:
“We’re expecting great things from Payday 2 and are really looking forward to working with our retail partners all over the world to make it the huge success it deserves to be.”
Released in 2011, Payday: The Heist sold approximately half a million copies, explaining Starbreeze’s eagerness to continue with the series. That said, with support by its publisher and an established game director at the helm, the odds are very much in favour of Payday 2 doing the original justice – and you can take that to the bank.