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Starbreeze
Starbreeze is the Stockholm-based game developer behind the PAYDAY franchise, with ~130 employees and offices in four European cities.
Starbreeze
Starbreeze was founded in Sweden in the late 1990s and has since evolved into an independent developer, publisher, and distributor of PC and console games. The firm built its reputation on the PAYDAY series, which has driven the company’s shift toward long-lived game services. The studio operates a "Games as a Service" philosophy, continuously releasing new content and features for its titles. Its portfolio includes PAYDAY 3, PAYDAY 2, and PAYDAY: The Heist. Starbreeze runs studios in Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris, and London and targets the global market for first-person shooters and cooperative heist games. The company employs roughly 130 people across around 30 nationalities. Starbreeze has released over 240 downloadable content packs and updates. Recent operational focus has centered on the post-launch support of PAYDAY 3, aiming to rebuild community trust after a rocky launch. Starbreeze is structurally distinct as a publicly traded independent studio that retains full ownership of its core intellectual property. This allows the firm to control publishing, distribution, and long-term content strategy without relying on external publishers for its flagship franchise.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
1998
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Sweden
City
Stockholm
Corporate office
Birger Jarlsgatan 61, 113 56 Stockholm, Sweden
Additional offices
Barcelona, Spain · Paris, France · London, United Kingdom
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Starbreeze?
Starbreeze is a publicly traded company with a board of directors and executive management team. As of the latest disclosures, Tobias Sjögren serves as CEO and is responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic direction. Investment decisions, including game funding and publishing deals, are made by the executive team in coordination with the board.
How does Starbreeze source its game ideas and manage development?
Starbreeze develops games primarily through its internal studios in Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris, and London. The company focuses on the PAYDAY franchise, which began in 2011, and creates new content and expansions in-house. It also considers external publishing opportunities, but its core strategy centers on expanding its existing intellectual property.
Is Starbreeze structured as a traditional game publisher or a developer?
Starbreeze functions as both a developer and publisher of its own games. It owns its IP outright — a key differentiator from many studios that work under major publishers. This structure gives it control over release timing, content updates, and community engagement without needing approval from a third-party publishing partner.
What investment stages does Starbreeze typically target for its projects?
Starbreeze funds its own game development internally, covering full production cycles from concept through launch and post-launch live services. It does not operate as an investment firm and does not seek external capital for individual projects unless through standard industry publishing revenue-sharing or debt arrangements.
Which sectors does Starbreeze explicitly focus on?
Starbreeze focuses exclusively on the video game industry, specifically multiplayer and co-op shooters. Its primary product line is the PAYDAY series, a cooperative heist game franchise. The company is not active in other entertainment or technology sectors, though it occasionally extends its IP into other media formats like comics or merchandise.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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