overkill-software
Latest
Payday 2 enlists its first woman gang member in new DLC
Murderous thieves though they may be, the masked crooks of Payday 2 are a progressive bunch and have hired a new female member going by the pseudonym "Clover" to join their heists, assuming you buy the game's newly-available character pack. Available on Steam and other digital distribution platforms for $5, the character pack introduces Clover alongside her unique mask and Shillelagh weapon - Clover is overtly Irish, in case the name didn't give it away - as well as the new Queen's Wrath assault rifle and an additional perk deck focused on breaking into things and accessing areas that are otherwise off limits. Payday 2 also receives a new mission today, dubbed "The Diamond Heist." In it, players will attempt to swipe the world's most famous diamond from a heavily guarded museum. Players are given the option to pre-plan the heist or just ad-lib the whole thing, and they'll do so in style thanks to four new masks "based on historical figures and myths of old." The Diamond Heist DLC features a price of $7. Beyond the break you'll find a trailer for the Diamond Heist narrated by Clover. It's not in-game footage, but it does set up ample reason to steal the precious mineral. [Image: 505 Games]
Payday 2's Hotline Miami DLC sounds terrifying
Payday 2 will receive a special piece of Hotline Miami-themed DLC on September 30, Overkill Software announced in a Steam community update. The collaboration between the developer and Hotline Miami creator Dennaton Games will feature at least one heist mission, though Overkill has not spelled out what other gruesome events will take place in the DLC, nor has it mentioned a price for the pack. The developer did offer a rather terrifying live-action trailer to announce the downloadable cross-over, found after the break. The sequel to Dennaton's graphic top-down shooter, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, will launch later this year. [Image: Overkill]
Payday devs poke fun at Battlefield Hardline similarities
Only the blind could deny similarities between upcoming cops-versus-robbers shooter Battlefield Hardline and the extant Payday franchise of cops-versus-robbers shooters, but to ensure that absolutely everyone is in on the joke, Payday 2 developer Overkill Software has decided to spoof EA's game in its latest DLC announcement. Though the "Gage Assault Pack" is a pretty typical addition - it features four new guns, four melee weapons, four masks, four materials and four patterns - its unveiling has a decidedly familiar aesthetic. From the font to the wheelchair-bound fellow who seems to have contracted whatever horrible disease makes the soldiers of Battlefield glow with an eerie incandescence, the DLC's page is directly modeled after Battlefield Hardline's promotional materials. Overkill even created background music for the page that's legally distinct but undoubtedly sounds like the bombastic Battlefield Hardline score. Moving past the cute homage, which Overkill describes as "tipping [its] hats to a fellow Swedish game developer," the Gage Assault Pack will reach Steam on September 4 and will feature a $5 price tag. For more details visit the Overkill Software website. [Image: Overkill Software]
Payday developer reveals co-op Walking Dead game
Payday series developers Overkill Software and Starbreeze Studios revealed that they are working on a Walking Dead game of its own. The Walking Dead creator and Skybound Entertainment CEO Robert Kirkman said the new take on the zombie survival series is the "co-op game that all of the Walking Dead fans have been waiting for" in a Payday 2 Steam community update. Starbreeze CEO Bo Andersson Klint said the developer "will bring The Walking Dead into the world of first-person shooter co-op games," and that it will be "gameplay focused, ferocious and bring chaos to the traditional industry model." While the developer did not specify the game's targeted platforms, it did mention that it will be powered by Starbreeze's Diesel engine, "updated for the next generation." It is expected to launch in 2016, which is when "Washington falls," according to the announcement trailer. [Image: Overkill]
Payday 2: Crimewave Edition plans heists for Xbox One, PS4
A life of crime balances risk with the tantalizing lure of bigger targets, and Overkill Software's co-operative shooter is gunning for its biggest holdup yet with Payday 2: Crimewave Edition on Xbox One and PS4. The related press release notes that the port is packing "enhanced features and a stash of new bonus content" in its dollar-sign-emblazoned knapsack, but further details are laying low for now, along with a price and release date. When Payday 2 started its campaign of stickups in August, our review described it as a "nonstop series of little stories and moments of surprise." [Image: 505 Games]
Payday 2 adding free heist DLC on PC this week
Overkill Software announced that the next batch of free content for its co-op heist sim Payday 2 is due to launch later this week on PC platforms. The new Shadow Raid heist is a stealth-only mission in which players must infiltrate a PMC warehouse in search of a stolen suit of samurai armor. Security is tight, however, and if alarms are tripped mid-mission, players have only 60 seconds to escape with what they've grabbed. Shadow Raid will be released on May 29 as a free update for the PC version of Payday 2. Overkill will also host a 67-percent-off sale and free-to-play Steam weekend for Payday 2 starting on the 29th and extending through June 2. [Thanks, Marc K.] [Image: Overkill Software]
PSA: Payday 2 goes free on PlayStation Plus tomorrow
While it would be thematically appropriate to steal a copy of Payday 2, come tomorrow that's no longer necessary as the PS3 multiplayer heist game will be added to the roster of free games on offer to PlayStation Plus members. Payday 2 centers on a group of criminals attempting to swipe cash and other valuables from targets like banks and jewelry stores. Solo play is possible, but the real potential of Payday 2 is found when playing with three other people. The game's AI is relatively predictable, but when you're attempting to loot a mall with a crew of like-minded felonious humans, you never know when one of them is going to shoot a hostage or set off an alarm, sending the heist into chaos. "Payday 2 is a nonstop series of little stories and moments of surprise like this, challenging your ability to absorb and adapt with each succeeding moment," Dave wrote in our review, before awarding the game 4 of 5 stars. As with all Instant Game Collection releases, a PlayStation Plus membership is required to pick up Payday 2 for free. Full details on how to attain that membership can be found on the PlayStation Plus website, or by visiting any iteration of the PlayStation Network Store. [Image: Overkill Software]
Payday 2 adds Gage's second weapon pack DLC in February
A second pack of gear is being introduced to Payday 2 in February, courtesy of Gage the weapons dealer. Following up on his first premium offering, Gage's second weapons drop introduces some new light machine guns, knives and the Cloaker – a new enemy police unit. There isn't much information on Cloakers, but you'll hear "a faint hissing whine" when they're in proximity. These light machine guns, while having a large magazine size, take a long time to reload and slow you down by 20%. Knives, on the other hand, introduce a new charge attack that can knock down enemies, so the longer you hold down the melee button, the stronger the attack. Finally, the new Gage weapons pack adds four new masks into the mix, along with new patterns and materials to customize them. The Gage weapon pack 2 DLC will be available on Steam in February for $5. Along with the new gear, the DLC also adds a handful of new achievements, which you can review over on Overkill's site. Image: Overkill Software
Payday 2 'Infamy' DLC gives career criminals a fresh start
For all career criminals, there reaches a point where you've robbed all you can rob and learned all you can learn on the job. Overkill is offering a chance to start anew in its heist simulator Payday 2 through the free Infamy DLC update. Here's how it works: If you've reached level 100 in Payday 2, you can pay $200,000,000 from your in-game offshore bank account to essentially trade in your rank. You'll go back to level one, lose all of your spending money, level progress and skill points, but you'll gain an Infamy level – which yields a point you can spend in the new Infamy skill tree. There are 14 levels of Infamy in all, each split into four tiers. You won't lose all your guns, nor will you lose your mods and masks, but as a lowly level one criminal, you'll be forced to climb the criminal ladder once more to unlock the ability to wield all your good gear. In layman's terms, Infamy is essentially Payday 2's version of the popular Prestige system seen in the Call of Duty series. The Infamy DLC is available right now as a free update, which will trigger the next time you boot up the game.
Twenty developers you don't know, but should
Between consoles, PC, mobile and everything in between, there are so many games released today that it's impossible to keep up with everything that's coming out – and it's even harder to keep up with the studios behind them. Even with a gaming public that's grown accustomed to following big developers like Valve and small studios like Double Fine, countless other studios slide under the radar. In the interest of sifting a signal from the noise, the Joystiq crew has selected 20 developers that deserve your attention. These studios are making games you should play, and their future work should be highly anticipated. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we invite you to share your own favorites in the comments!
Payday 2 'Charlie Santa' Heist DLC drops in time for the holidays
Payday 2 on Steam will receive a free bit of festive DLC on Monday, December 16. The free "Charlie Santa" Heist mission, which sees Payday 2's four crooks busting into a custom bank map, can go one of two ways: you can quickly hunt down the two key cards necessary to break into the vault, bag the cash and get out; or, if things go pear-shaped and you must drill into the vault, you can set up some lift cages on the roof and have your pilot swoop in and skyhook the packaged cash. The "Charlie Santa" Heist DLC also features some festive St. Nick masks for those who are part of the official Steam community group for the game, plus a new scope to unlock, courtesy of Gage the weapons dealer. Finally, there are some new achievements to unlock, including one where you have to neatly package four dead bodies and place them under the bank's Christmas tree. Nobody wants to unwrap that on Christmas morning!
Get Payday 2, Dead or Alive 5 Plus for a steal in Europe's PSN sale
PlayStation Europe's seasonal savings continue this week with Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Payday 2, with the Vita beat-em-up down to £15 (€20/AU$25) and the PS3 heist-em-up at £12 (€15/AU$18). PlayStation Plus members can put that subscription to further use by chopping a further 10 percent off both offers. Finally, as with all games in PlayStation's 12 Deals of Christmas Euro-promo, the offers last for 48 hours starting today.
Payday 2 update brings PS3 version closer to PC
Overkill has issued a significant update for the PS3 version of Payday 2, bringing that console's version up to par with the latest version of the game on PC. There are over 200 tweaks that have been made to the PS3 game, including a complete overhaul of the weapons rating system, adjustments to how stealth works and some fixes for a few persistent crash bugs. The game's economy system has also been updated to pay out more cash for looted bags as well as XP from completed missions. The full patch notes are quite extensive, so feel free to pore over them in this Steam post. A patch for the Xbox 360 version is currently in the works.
Payday 2 on Steam introduces Gage: the weapons dealer DLC
On December 5, Payday 2 will increase its inventory of weapons, mods and masks in the Gage Weapon Pack, a piece of premium DLC coming to the PC version on Steam. The Gage Weapon Pack adds a variety of new guns, mods, masks (with new patterns and materials) and increases player inventory size considerably. In fact, those who pick up the DLC tomorrow will have more open weapon slots than there are guns available in the game. Being introduced alongside Gage's armaments in Payday 2 is a selective fire mode, allowing would-be heisters to switch between semi-automatic and full-on auto firing at the press of a button. Selective firing will be available to all players starting tomorrow – not just the ones who pick up the DLC. The Gage Weapon Pack will launch tomorrow, Overkill says, with a final unveiling for the last part of the DLC also happening tomorrow. Overkill has not announced a price for the Gage DLC.
Armored transport heists are fair game in Payday 2 DLC tomorrow on Steam
Payday 2 will receive its first DLC pack on PC tomorrow, 505 Games announced. The downloadable content offers players new two armored transport heists, which occur across six locations in Washington D.C leading to a train robbery of a "valuable military prototype." Players will also receive three new weapons in the Payday 2 DLC pack, namely the Gruber Kurz pistol, Commando 553 assault rifle and Swedish K SMG, as well as masks of four United States Presidents: Reagan, Clinton, Bush and Obama. The add-on content, which offers a dozen new achievements for players to reach, will cost $6.99.
Peek inside Payday 2's Lootbag DLC on Xbox 360, PS3 today
Both Xbox 360 and PS3 can pick up Payday 2's Lootbag DLC, previously a pre-order exclusive, for $5 today. Inside the Lootbag, players will find some extra in-game cash, a red dot sight compatible with all rifles and shotguns, a skull mask, black and red mask customization color scheme and an "I Love Overkill!" mask emblem. Developer Overkill Software has also announced a Payday 2 demo has infiltrated Xbox Live today. The demo is coming to PS3, Overkill says, though timing has yet to be determined. Payday 2, a game where four crooks band together to pull off heists and other illegal jobs for wealthy drug lords and psychopaths, launched back in August for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. In our review, we lauded the game's co-operative play and "nonstop series of little stories and moments of surprise" that happen every time the four embark on a job.
Payday 2 sells 1.58 million copies, 80 percent through digital
Payday 2, the sequel to Overkill's 2011 game Payday: The Heist, has sold 1.58 million copies across all platforms. Just 20 percent of the game's sales came through retail channels, while the rest were through digital platforms like Steam, Xbox Live and PSN. The sales for Payday 2 were enough to land it a spot in the NPD's top ten sales list for August. Starbreeze CEO Bo Andersson-Klint said in early August that the game turned a profit just six days before it launched, so things are certainly looking up for the developer.
Payday 2 yoinks top spot in this week's UK charts
Witnesses report the nefarious Payday 2 was sighted in a hit-and-run in the UK charts. It's believed Overkill's crime-it-up stole the prized top spot from Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, where Mojang's crafter had been safely stowed for three weeks straight. The police had nothing to say on the matter, and told us to stop calling them. In other chart–crime news, is that Grand Theft Auto 4 we see sneaking into tenth place? With GTA 5 around the corner on September 17 and all the hubbub of last week, Brits seem very keen to reunite with their own in Scottish-based GTA studio Rockstar North. Elsewhere, chart mainstays like FIFA 13, Black Ops 2, The Last of Us, and Tomb Raider - it's still going, Square Enix! - continue to hang tough.
Overkill adding 5 DLC packs to Payday 2, would 'love' to add mods
Overkill Software producer Almir Listo recently said the studio has "a year of DLC planned" for Payday 2, its multiplayer heist game that launched this week on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 (August 23 for Xbox Games on Demand). Listo tells Joystiq that five DLC packs in total are in the works. "Payday 2 - just like its predecessor Payday: The Heist - is a living thing. We have 5 DLCs planned together with 505 Games for the coming year." Listo went on to say that Overkill would continue to update the game with both paid and free content, "just like we did with the first game." In Payday 2, the same maps are recycled over many different types of jobs, suggesting a natural fit for modding support or Steamworks integration. "We would love to add support for creating community generated content," Listo said, but in the meantime the team will "continue to look into this." Listo posted a message on Steam yesterday about absent safe house customization options and Cloakers, special heavy-duty police units seen in the beta. Both will be added down the line: "The safe house is what we intended it to be at release," Listo said. "Just like Bain says when you enter the safe house for the first time, it's not much at the moment, but give it some time. He's working on it and he'll let us do some decorating soon." Finally, Listo addressed the idea of further franchise crossovers. The first Payday had a mission set in the No Mercy map of Left 4 Dead, serving as a non-canon prequel to Valve's co-op zombie shooting gallery. On this point Listo said, "We can't discuss if we have any crossovers planned right now, but we will let you know when/if that should change."
Overkill to keep updating Payday 2 for a year, planning female character
Payday 2 director David Goldfarb said "there's like a year of DLC planned" for the game in a recent interview with OXM. Among the additional content for the heist game, Goldfarb said he wants "to make sure we get a female character." A playable female character for the action game may not be the first piece of downloadable content to arrive, though. "I don't know if we'll get it as our first DLC, because we'd have to redo all the animations so it doesn't look like a dude walking around with a female body," Goldfarb said. "It's definitely on our list. One of the many things that are on our list." Goldfarb didn't reveal the other items on Overkill Software's list of DLC plans, and it may be some time before we find out. Payday 2 first launches this week on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
