Starbreeze Buys The Payday Franchise From 505 Games

Swedish developer Starbreeze (The Darkness, Syndicate) has acquired the Payday franchise from Payday 2 publisher 505 Games for approximately $30 million in Starbreeze stock.

Starbreeze subsidiary Overkill developed both games in the series, with 505 publishing the second game.

The studio believes it will make back the money through the franchise until Payday 3 comes out, but it doesn't specify when it believes the game will be ready.

Speaking of making money, microtransactions were part of a controversy regarding Payday 2.

[Source: Starbreeze]

Our Take
I don't know about Starbreeze/Overkill's relationship with 505 Games, but Starbreeze overseeing all aspects of the game could give them greater control and ability to recoup more direct profit from the series going forward.