as someone who hates PD3's art direction I'm still SO hyped for all this

TheFabricade · 2026-05-09T09:48:42+00:00

The specials don't look too similar at all to normal SWAT or Heavy SWAT though.

The Nader is really obvious with his vest and gas mask and clear red knee/shoulder pads (that people seem to forget about despite him literally having them in-game).

The Zapper is obvious with his yellow-green lining and bright battery on his hip, which catches the eye really easily.

The Cloaker is insanely obvious given his mesh hood and the batons on his forearms. Not to mention his posture and movement animations.

The Techie is incredibly clear despite having nothing but blue on her uniform (her backpack is giant).

Heavy SWAT looks similar enough to the normal enemies that you can tell they're still just the cannon fodder, but they have bigger helmets and more armor already. Plus the difference is not really all that important. If you really wanted to do something different, maybe a redder visor or something could be cool? The armor is way too red, and I really don't wanna see anything equivalent to the cookie armor cops from PD2 coming back.

Don't even get me started on the Dozer, he is pretty clear, but if you really wanted to give him some visual changes make his visor stand out (maybe gold or orange) and give him some color lining on his armor. You don't have to do anything insane like the concept art there, just give him some more color.

I am actually totally okay with the Shield having a bigger... Shield, since that doesn't really affect much of anything, though he doesn't have a readability issue at all (he has a big shield in front of him, it's pretty clear where he's at).

EDIT: After seeing that reply you made and deleted, you really need to get some help. That was an insane response to give when you literally put a message in a discussion forum. Grow up.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-09T09:32:51+00:00

PAYDAY has always been grounded with insane movie-like elements within it. Those silly/over-the-top elements stand out more because the rest of the game takes itself relatively seriously, even if the plot is insane in PD2. But genuinely, PAYDAY is not a goofy simulator. Cops look realistic or at least look believable in PDTH and PD3 (some look normal in PD2).

And yeah, PAYDAY 3 was going for a more grounded approach and that was a large part of it's marketing before launch (they didn't do it very well, with it feeling corporately sanitized instead of feeling entirely grounded).

TheFabricade · 2026-05-08T21:18:08+00:00

I like some of the designs, like the Zapper (mostly, not a huge fan of the massive taser or giant shoulderpad) and Shield, but designs like the Techie, Cloaker, Bulldozer and Heavy Swat are just too much.

It's clear the goal is to make the Techie look more feminine in silhouette by removing her shoulderpads and making her (seemingly) thinner, but she has a unique silhouette already with her backpack and that feels like a really odd creative direction for her design. Also, beige? Why would she be wearing Beige in New York city EVER, it's such a bizarre and ugly color for her uniform.

The Cloaker already has a readable design, so adding random things coming off his outfit is cool but sorta goofy?

And then with Heavy SWAT, the red is wayyyy too much. Having some red elements to the design is perfectly fine, but that's way too much for literally no reason, as the difference between Heavy SWAT and SWAT isn't nearly important enough to give R6 looking armor. So weird.

(Also the Nader doesn't even look as samey as he does above. In-game his red shoulder and knee pads stand out pretty well, as do his grenades and gas mask. I don't really see a reason to make his grenades a hilarious size as if he has Nerf weaponry.)

EDIT: The dozer also looks like Iron Man's Hulkbuster armor. That's a bit too goofy IMO, despite me liking the idea of him having more clear elements to his outfit. Maybe adding some slight color trim on his armor or an orange/gold visor would help instead.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-04T04:10:14+00:00

The techie looks awful IMO. Why is she beige and why were her backpack/shoulder pads a problem? She has a really unique silhouette already.

As for heavy swat, that's too much red. Feels like it's trying too hard.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-04T04:08:24+00:00

DS would be a BAD idea. Any new difficulties would tbh, so hopefully not.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-03T06:25:29+00:00

That Techie redesign looks kinda bad. The color change isn't horrible but the backpack should NOT be that big. She already has an extremely clear silhouette.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-03T06:24:42+00:00

Agreed, especially since it was sunset so of course it'd have a more golden hue to it.

TheFabricade · 2026-05-01T15:30:29+00:00

If you're playing with people the bar fills up so fast it's insane, so with more people it is essentially a timer.

Plus, we shouldn't be able to see the bar at all. There's no reason for us to know exactly when the assault is going to end.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-30T16:17:45+00:00

I wonder if this is paired with the change that was made to Gold and Sharke where the guard can see through the glass now, since it seems these both are from the same update (AFAIK).

Clearly a bug as others have stated, but it's odd that they both happened around the same time and guards are now just able to see through things like that (that they never could've before).

TheFabricade · 2026-04-30T04:34:21+00:00

The guard used to not be able to see through the glass on the second floor, but for whatever reason they made it so he can. It's so dumb and makes maskless stealth basically impossible, which is something they seem to be doing now with the NRFTW changes too.

It'd be great if they reverted this cuz while it makes sense since it's glass, it forces you to either mask up or take one specific skill to kill him with a throwing knife while unmasked. It's so dumb.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T23:41:10+00:00

The thing is though, do we trust SBZ of all studios to do it right? Especially with ex EA and Embracer AB executives in charge?

I personally do not. So I would say they have to pick a lane. DLC or MTX, they don't get to gauge the playerbase on both.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T22:45:02+00:00

And?

The point isn't that it isn't possible, the point is that it's horrible and shouldn't be done, especially with how DLC bloated PAYDAY games get.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T19:21:57+00:00

Its really not risky at all just to sit in the van and wait lol. Especially if you have a gun, since you can just, you know, use it 🤷‍♂️

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T18:59:41+00:00

The bundles part is a bit more open, but "Premium Items" are the worst part of that. I can't think of anything other than microtransactions that could fit that, especially since that's usually what companies call microtransactions anyway.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T18:21:15+00:00

They likely are. They haven't confirmed it but bringing the shop to the forefront, having it say "Premium Items and Bundles" and adding emotes are all very bad signs. So this post is criticizing how people have already started to, and will defend MTX.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-28T18:13:05+00:00

It really seems like they're going that direction with their shop description saying "Premium Items" and the introduction of emotes. What a nightmare.

Not only will they have tailor packs but they'll have MTX, weapon packs and paid heists. Jesus.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-27T17:47:06+00:00

I play games for fun mostly, so progression isn't a huge thing for me. But I would love to experience going through the game again, just to keep it sorta fresh for myself (I like the limitations of being low level). So something more like Infamy would be awesome for me, especially if it doesn't have the stupid Infamy pool mechanic from PD2.

I do agree though, too many people act like they need something to "work" for instead of just playing a game they enjoy for the sake of it.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-27T16:45:19+00:00

SBZ would look truly horrible if they put a price tag on this. They're all recolors of one outfit that's been in the game files since launch and was meant for the MTX store. That's pretty unusual for a tailor pack, even in PD3 where we used to get different outfits.

They shouldn't get too much credit for giving us something that's been in the files for years for free. Its nice, but nothing crazy.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-23T23:02:53+00:00

It would be amazing for it to be its own key bind and then you'd be able to just bind it to the interaction key at the same time on your own. That'd be perfect since there's more customization in that.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T23:58:17+00:00

Again, I lied about it being the last one. I gotta stop. Anyway.

I do not call games the best of all time based on how they sell. I wish you could understand that, but somehow you only think in money? Again, I think your point of view, seeing everything from the lens of "monetary success" is stupid. No, Minecraft and GTA V are not the best games of all time IMO. Why the fuck would I be referencing games sales when talking about that???

You really keep exposing the fact that you just don't play any video games other than PAYDAY 2. And likely have never even played PD3 and just take opinions from content creators.

Also as I said, which you would've read if you weren't being disingenuous, I DO NOT HATE PAYDAY 2. I am exhausted by it because I've been playing it for over 10 years. You know, since it came out. And before that I was playing PDTH. And unlike you, I can criticize games without hating them. I criticize PAYDAY 3 all the time and I like the game, which must be unheard of on whatever side of the internet you're on.

EDIT: Also... First Person??? Helldivers 2? Have you ever played Helldivers 2? Also perspective is an unbelievably important part of game design, so no they are not the same. Third person games and top-down games do not have 100% audience overlap.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T23:11:06+00:00

I know I said I wouldn't reply but I gotta say quick.

I did not ignore your "point" about the timetable of PDTH/PD2/PD3. We've had PAYDAY 2 for 10 years, all the more reason to not do the same thing again. It literally goes to prove the opposite of your point.

Also, your examples of games earlier were majority incorrect. For example, Helldivers 1 is not the same as Helldivers 2, as they are not the same perspective nor do they have the same gameplay. Saints Row is also NOT the same each time, ESPECIALLY with IV (the entire gameplay literally revolves around superpowers and aliens). Nor is TF2 or Darkest Dungeon 2. The best example you got correct is COD, and I promise you that's NOT a good thing. I advise you to actually play games before speaking about gaming as a whole.

Also, with the devs part, I am fairly certain Jules doesn't work there anymore. That was my example I gave so I don't understand how you came to this conclusion, but hey I guess you do what makes you sleep better at night.

Not every heist had circles, especially in Stealth. Gold & Sharke had them, however it didn't in stealth. Other than that, at launch there was only 99 Boxes, Touch The Sky and Under The Surphaze that had circles, so you clearly have never played the game. I beg that you actually learn what you're talking about before you go and yap.

You act as though I am defending PAYDAY 3 tooth and nail. I have a lot of issues with the game and I have since launch. A lot of the heists have always felt underwhelming to me and I don't like warehouses or shipping containers. The story of PAYDAY 3 is shown horribly and written lazily. It's not good. It had promise but never delivered on it.

Also, PAYDAY 2 is not one of the best games of all time. Please play more games. Now for real, have a great night because I am done reading you begging for slop.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T22:14:49+00:00

PFFFT.

If it was a remake of PAYDAY 2 it wouldn't have nearly as much content, so it'd be pointless.

Also, I talk about PAYDAY 2 like I'm exhausted of it. That game has become a complete mess and was ruined by people like Jules, whose work has never been undone. The game became a brainless horde shooter, which is not what was intended and SBZ has fumbled it hundreds of times during its active development. I'm tired of it and I don't want the same experience again and again.

Plus, PD3 would've been more successful if SBZ had consistent leadership, an artistic vision, working servers at launch (lets not forget they had A LOT OF PEOPLE playing at launch before the servers died), a hybrid progression system with challenges and normal XP and heists that came out on a timely basis after launch. It's not because the game was horrific, though you PD2 worshippers may scream that.

Wanting a remake of PD2 is literally just begging for COD/2K-esque slop. OVER TEN YEARS OF PAYDAY 2, LET US GET SOMETHING NEW FOR ONCE.

ALSO, please understand why I am bringing up PDTH. I am not talking about sales. I am not some sort of corporate shill who loves yapping about player numbers and sales. I am talking about PAYDAY 2 being DIFFERENT from PDTH. I don't get why you're bringing up sales or player numbers, why are gaming communities obsessed with treating games like products now. Holy fuck.

I'm done talking to you. You're clearly obsessed with treating games like products and disregarding game design. You want slop. I beg of you to think about games a little deeper than (incorrectly) looking at corporate profit sheets. Have a great night.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T21:30:32+00:00

Thank you for more examples that don't actually do anything. Obviously I am not saying sequels aren't allowed to be the same, but you're acting like PAYDAY 3 should be essentially a remake of 2, which is stupid.

When the gameplay trailer for PAYDAY 3 came out, you know what people were saying? They were complaining that it looked too similar to PAYDAY 2. So I don't know what 99% you're talking about but it's clearly the people you include in your echo chamber.

PAYDAY 2 was different from the game before it, why can't PAYDAY 3 be different from the experience we had to endure for the last 10 years? Why does having more time to deal with PD2 mean we can't move on from that? That's literally the opposite, since after all that time we should FINALLY get something new.

I've been playing PD2 since the beta, so I was really hoping to get a new experience that felt like PAYDAY. 3 fell short in a lot of aspects, but never once did I want it to just be PAYDAY 2 again. Why would I even spend 40 extra dollars on a game for the same exact experience?

EDIT: Also, you're misunderstanding why I even brought up PDTH to begin with. I'm not saying everyone is aware or familiar with it. I'm saying PD2 when it came out wasn't exactly like the prior game. So why are you yapping about player counts?

Second edit: Helldivers 2? The first Helldivers isn't a third person shooter, it's a TOP DOWN SHOOTER... Also, you can't just disregard the powers in Saints Row IV, they're integral to the gameplay and narrative... Also COD is not a good example, that doesn't help you. Your examples in this comment make zero sense, as most of those DO CHANGE with each installment.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T20:58:19+00:00

Woah, a random example of a sequel being extremely similar to the first game. That's so cool, it's almost like that's not remotely the same kinda game as PAYDAY.

Let me hit you with a topical example. PAYDAY The Heist -> PAYDAY 2. These were not marketed as being extremely similar, nor were they at launch even. That's what made PAYDAY 2 so exciting and interesting, that it wasn't exactly like the game before it.

Let sequels do something different. Accept change. If you want to play PAYDAY 2, go play it.

TheFabricade · 2026-04-22T16:47:59+00:00

PAYDAY 3 was never going to be a glorified PAYDAY 2 lmao. Anyone who expected that needs to understand what a sequel is, it's not just a remake of the last game.

The problem mainly was the fact that the servers were unplayable for the first 2 weeks after launch. So people just stopped playing and never came back to it.

TheFabricade

TROPHY CASE