The sales performance of Deep Silver and Starbreeze Studios’ first-person shooter, Payday 3, has fallen below the expectations Embracer following online matchmaking issues.
In its second quarter earnings report for the year 2023, Embracer Group stated that it saw a mixed reception and performance for the
externally developed Payday 3. That said, the game had a positive Adjusted EBIT contribution with the investment recouped in Q2.
The company expects Payday 3 sales to contribute positively in FY 2023/24, but below management expectations, due to a softer launch where an unforeseen error relating to external matchmaking software impacted the experience for players.
Embracer Group’s net sales in the quarter for PC/Console Games amounted to SEK 3,909 million, a decrease by –5 % compared to the same period last year, or –17 % organically and –22 % pro forma in constant currency. As per the report, the results are partly impacted by two third-party publishing titles, Payday 3 and Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy, performing below the management’s expectations.
Revenue from new releases amounted to SEK 1,417 million in the quarter, a decrease of 7 % YoY. The main revenue drivers among new releases in the quarter were Remnant II, developed by internal studio Gunfire Games and published by Gearbox Entertainment, as well as Payday 3, developed by external studio Starbreeze Studios and published internally through Deep Silver.
According to the company, Payday 3 saw a mixed reception from critics and users, and the studio saw an unforeseen error related to its external matchmaking software. Since October, matchmaking has been stable and has had a better performance. Payday 3 had a positive Adjusted EBIT contribution with the investment recouped in Q2. The game is expected to contribute positively in FY 2023/24, but below management expectations. The report mentioned that Starbreeze is now hard at work with its live service plans for the game including frequent new releases of content, as well as quality of life improvements and added functionality to improve the player experience. Two
new free “heists”, or missions, are planned for launch in the near-term.
