Starbreeze cancels Project Baxter, approximately 44 workers affected by layoffs

Starbreeze Entertainment has cancelled Project Baxter, its Dungeons & Dragons games-as-service title.

The decision was made following a strategic review, with the developer concluding “that resources are best deployed to accelerate the growth of [its] flagship Payday franchise.”

Part of the game’s development team will be relocated internally on other Starbreeze projects, while roughly 44 full-time employees and contractors will lose their jobs.

In a statement to Game Developer, the firm clarified that it could not provide an exact number of workers affected by layoffs due to union negotiations.

As a result of Project Baxter’s cancellation, there will be a non-cash impairment of approximately SEK 255 million ($27.2 million) in Q3 2025.

“This was a difficult but necessary decision,” said Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson. “By focusing our investment and talent [on the Payday franchise], we can accelerate delivery, engage players with more content, and reinforce Starbreeze’s position as the clear leader in the heisting genre.

“This is about sharpening our focus to create the strongest long-term value for our players, our people, and our shareholders.”

Kristjansson added: “I want to sincerely thank the Baxter team for their passion and creativity, and express appreciation to Wizards of the Coast for their support.

“Though we have made the decision to not continue forward with this project, we are proud of what was achieved in Baxter, and those contributions will carry forward into Payday and the future of Starbreeze. By concentrating our efforts on Payday we give Starbreeze and all our employees the best chance to succeed.”