Starbreeze has unveiled a new subscription service for Payday 2, designed to offer players access to all its downloadable content (DLC). Featuring 65 pieces of additional content, tapping into this vast repository individually costs a hefty $170.77 or £145.33. However, the subscription model allows for access at a more digestible $4.99 or £3.99 per month, or $19.99 / £15.99 for a six-month plan.
Community Reaction
The decision comes in the wake of price increases on the game's bundle, known as the Infamous Collection, which previously surged from approximately £100.29 to £145.33. This sparked a wave of criticism among dedicated players who viewed the chronological proximity of the price rise and subscription launch as potentially exploitative.
Gustav Nisser, Starbreeze's head of commercial, addressed these concerns directly, emphasizing that the pricing adjustments were "completely unrelated" to the subscription rollout. Nisser acknowledged, however, that the proximity did not reflect ideal coordination within the company, labeling the community response as understandable. Following feedback from their player base, Starbreeze took swift measures to revert the bundle price to its previous amount.
Business Strategy
In a market teeming with subscription services, the move to introduce yet another might seem counterintuitive, especially for a game released several years ago. Nevertheless, Nisser posits that this new model will offer players unprecedented flexibility and an economically viable route to experience all of
The development of this subscription aligns with broader trends in the gaming industry where access-based models are increasingly favored. They provide players the ability to engage with more content over time without the initial commitment of purchasing all add-ons.
Despite initial hiccups in the execution, the initiative potentially sets a precedent for how older games might leverage ongoing engagement through innovative service offerings. With Payday 2 currently priced at $9.99 / £8.50, it remains attractively accessible for new and returning players alike, underscoring Starbreeze's commitment to maintaining an active and engaged gaming community.
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