The ever-relevant Payday series continues to retain its most die-hard fans even with the announcement of the series' next installment, Payday 3, scheduled for release sometime in 2023. This good news is coincidentally compounded for fans of the world's longest-running soap opera, Coronation Street, with the appearance of one of Payday's most iconic masks in a recent episode.
Starbreeze Studios, the team producing Payday, is no stranger to reaching out to film-makers to promote the game, as the masks of Payday have made cameo appearances as recently as John Wick: Chapter 2 and Hardcore Henry complete with in-game DLC tie-ins. While Coronation Street is a far cry from the action-packed films and heist movies that inspired the Payday series, the show's decision to feature Chains' mask in a prominent scene has many fans of Payday wondering if the gesture was intentional.
Without an official statement from Starbreeze Studios or Overkill, the team behind Payday, the reason behind the presence of the mask is entirely speculation. Some viewers are chalking it up to an uninformed prop department selecting any mask for the scene, while others are refuting this by citing the cost of the mask being £49.99, approximately $65.20 in the US, is simply too much for a single scene. Effectively, the specificity of the mask is what has fans of the fourth heister still guessing.
As Payday 3 enters a state of dedicated development, Starbreeze Studio's financial situation as of the past few years has effectively set the pace of the next installment's progress, projected to be ready for release in 2023 at the latest. While spirits seem to be high in designing Payday 3 around a new engine, Starbreeze Studios and Overkill have certainly had their share of mis-steps as far as fundraising, with their adaptation of The Walking Dead and Raid: World War II receiving lukewarm reception upon release.
Historically speaking however, Payday has always taken care to emulate its inspirations respectfully and without compromising the fun of the game's unique blend of first-person shooter and strategy elements. It remains entirely possible the placement of Chains' mask was intentional, with the team behind Payday 3 building enthusiasm for the project early. Despite the rough past few years for Starbreeze Studios, the team is staying resolute in keeping their promises to the nine year old community behind them that Payday 3 will not only be released, but the best it can be.
Payday 2 is available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.