Following the monumental critical and commercial success of *Baldur’s Gate 3*, widespread industry speculation and eager fan discussions naturally turned toward the future of video games inspired by the *Dungeons & Dragons* universe. Many enthusiasts, buoyed by the renaissance of interest in the iconic tabletop role-playing brand, anticipated that Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast would take advantage of this renewed momentum by commissioning additional titles set within the same rich fantasy mythos. However, for those hopeful players, disappointing news has recently emerged: one such project—known internally by the codename “Project Baxter”—has been entirely canceled, bringing an abrupt halt to a venture that once promised to expand the digital *D&D* portfolio.
The now-terminated title had been under development by the Swedish studio Starbreeze, a company distinguished by its recognizable creative style and previous success with cooperative action experiences. Starbreeze is most prominently associated with the *Payday* franchise, a series centered on high-stakes heists and multiplayer collaboration, as well as its 2012 reboot of the classic *Syndicate*. In an official communication, CEO Adolf Kristjansson described the cancellation as a “difficult but necessary decision,” emphasizing that the studio must concentrate its available resources on the complete reorganization and revitalization of its flagship *Payday* series. According to the announcement, this redirection of focus mandates the full cessation of all work related to “Baxter.” While some team members who contributed to the *Dungeons & Dragons*-based project will be reassigned to other internal initiatives within Starbreeze, others will unfortunately face layoffs. The company clarified that it intends to support those affected employees by offering assistance as they seek new professional opportunities within the gaming industry.
“Project Baxter” was originally unveiled in 2023, accompanied by preliminary teasers that hinted at gameplay concepts and design philosophies familiar to long-time followers of Starbreeze’s catalog. At the time, developers asserted that the title would embrace several of the studio’s hallmark features—including a live-service structure designed for ongoing content updates and a strong focus on cooperative play systems encouraging sustained player engagement. Although the studio maintained relative silence about the project in the months that followed, internal projections reportedly aimed for a release window sometime in 2026, with plans to launch across all major gaming platforms. Earlier in 2024, intriguingly, Starbreeze had even revealed a few pieces of evocative concept art, hinting that more extensive previews were planned for the near future. The sudden cancellation therefore represents a significant pivot in the studio’s strategic roadmap.
Historically, *Dungeons & Dragons* has often been adapted into numerous digital experiences of varied design and reception, suggesting that Wizards of the Coast is no stranger to pursuing different formats within the expansive *D&D* setting. Before the triumph of *Baldur’s Gate 3*, for instance, a 2021 cooperative reboot titled *Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance* attempted to deliver a live-action, multiplayer-oriented take on the franchise. Despite its ambition, the title ultimately struggled to maintain an active player base, and its online servers were officially shut down in early 2024. In parallel, Wizards of the Coast has adopted a noticeably cautious approach toward its interactive entertainment ventures, having previously canceled five unannounced projects even before *Baldur’s Gate 3* reached audiences—many of which were widely believed to be *D&D*-related experiments. As of now, the single-player action adventure being developed by Giant Skull remains the sole confirmed *Dungeons & Dragons* video game still in production. That project is led by Stig Asmussen, a director celebrated for his previous work on *Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order*, and it continues to represent Wizards’ ongoing commitment to exploring the interplay between cinematic storytelling and classic fantasy role-playing.
For fans and observers within the gaming community, this latest development underscores the precariousness of large-scale game production and the difficult decisions studios must sometimes make to ensure long-term stability. While “Project Baxter” will never come to fruition, Starbreeze’s renewed concentration on *Payday* may enable the company to strengthen its financial base and creative output, ensuring that its most recognizable property continues to evolve. The broader *Dungeons & Dragons* gaming landscape, meanwhile, remains full of both uncertainty and promise, sustained by a legacy that has inspired countless digital adventures—and will likely continue to do so for generations of players to come.
Sourse: https://gizmodo.com/payday-dev-starbreeze-kills-co-op-dungeons-dragons-game-2000667433
