Does Payday 3 need an internet connection?

Does Payday 3 need an internet connection? Much like any other game featuring a multiplayer mode, an internet connection has always been necessary. But since not everyone is a hardcore cooperative enthusiast, some gamers are asking whether they can play Starbreeze Studios’ latest creation offline.

So, if you’ve been looking for an answer to this question before the Payday 3 release date, you’re in luck. We’ll be taking a look at the extent of the game’s internet connection requirement so you know what to expect ahead of time. Without further ado, here’s what you need to know.

Do you need an internet connection to play Payday 3?

Yes, you do need an internet connection to play Payday 3. Unfortunately, Starbreeze Studios’ latest heist ’em-up has an always-online requirement, which means you will always need to be connected to the internet to enter the game, even if you only plan on playing solo.

This detail was confirmed by Payday 3 global brand director Almir Listo during a live stream. In it, Listo said: “You will be able to play by yourself, but I do believe you will have to have a connection in order to play because it’s made in Unreal Engine, it’s using cross-progression, cross-play, [so] I do believe we need you to be online.”

Naturally, this announcement was poorly received by the community as the previous series installments in Payday and Payday 2 didn’t need an internet connection to play single-player modes. However, Payday 3’s always-online requirement is understandable as the new features, including cross-platform play and progression, make this the most advanced entry in the series so far.

That’s all you need to know about Payday 3’s internet connection requirement. If you want to learn more, check out our guides covering Payday 3 Game Pass availability, Payday 3 crossplay functionality, and the Payday 3 single-player mode.