If you're anything like me, when you hear the word "Payday," you probably think of a delicious snack. Okay, not just a simple snack, the best non-chocolate based candy bar ever created. Sony Online Entertainment and Overkill Software are looking to change that Pavlovian response. SOE Executive Director of Business Development, Christopher Stur, wants you to think of "an intense, gritty and unapologetic episodic cooperative shooter." He goes on to say, "PAYDAY is packed with cocky attitude, epic Hollywood-inspired action and endless replayability."
"Intense? Gritty? Cocky attitude?" And I though Paydays were simply packed with peanuts... That is one excited Executive Director of Business Development! Of course, Mr. Stur isn't talking about candy, he's talking about PAYDAY: The Heist, a new four player cooperative shooter for the PlayStation Network and the PC. It's a cops and robbers game. You'll be playing the part of the robbers. The downloadable title was announced yesterday, which was obviously a calculated move to garner buzz for E3. Guess who has two thumbs and an appointment with SOE? This guy! Can you see it? I'm pointing both by thumbs at myself. It would look really cool if you were sitting here with me, I promise. For a list of the game's features, read on.
Six High-Intensity Heists: Whether you're blowing the roof off a building to extract a safe via helicopter or emptying the vault at the First World Bank, these action-packed heists will have players on edge and always checking their six.
Interactive Co-op Gameplay: Whether AI or live, your crew of four must operate as one to bring get the "big score." Sharing extra ammo and med kits, helping regen wounded partners, guarding key positions, taking civilian hostages or cracking through various security measures - it's all for one and one for all.
Endless Replayability: Dynamic environments, adaptive enemy behavior,shifting entry points, FBI agents repelling down on ropes through the skylights, SWAT teams crashing through the windows and special units crawling through the ventilation shafts makes each play-through of every heist a unique fight.
Massive Character Progression Tree: Players choose a specialty - assault, sharpshooter or support - to gain weapons and equipment that fit their preferred form of violence. Unlock trip mines, silenced pistols, machine guns and much, much more.
Shout Out Button: Players need to be vocal and shout commands and directions to the co-op crew, as well as hostages and the police if they want to survive to spend their cut of the take.
Hostage Trading: Hostages can be a lifeline. If anyone in the crew is taken into custody, trade hostages to get crew members back and increase the odds of completing your objectives.
PlayStation® or PC: For keyboard and mouse marksman, as well as handheld controller snipers, PAYDAY is the uber-FPS for a high intensity shooter fix.
More DLC: Additional heists, weapons and equipment means PAYDAY - a digitally distributed AAA quality title for less than half the price of a retail game - is total OVERKILL.
I strolled on over to the PlayStation Blog and saw that Overkill Software CEO, Bo Andersson, had answered some questions down in the Comments section. It appears that the game will have four player online or LAN co-op. The game will have drop in/drop out play with bot support. You can start up a game in single player and then have your friends join you later. There is no mention of a local co-op option. According to Bo, "You keep the cash and level your character as you go on more difficult Heists together."
When it came to a multiplayer versus mode, there isn't one:
"The single player story mode and co-op mode are fully integrated into each other. We focus on coop n single player for this one. It is not a deathmatch type game – it is a teamwork game to extremes."
Judging from the screenshots below, they'll be going for an 'M' rating. I'll find out as much information as I can at E3.
How about you folks? Questions? Concerns? Hungry for a Payday?
