Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The Payday 3 open beta is fast approaching – and here you’ll find out all about the latest entry in the Payday franchise. Running as technical a open beta stress test this weekend, anyone can get their first hands on the Starbreeze’s co-op heist shooter ahead of launch later this month.
As per the announcement, the Technical Open Beta will kick off on September 8 and run through until September 11 to stress test the servers and won’t require any key to access. All you’ll have to do is download the client and play. It’s worth noting that Payday 3 will need to be always online.
The open beta build include the same content from the recent closed beta test, meaning it’ll be based on a game version from April 2023. This means it won’t be the final representation of Payday 3, so there could be a few potential issues and buys, but it will at least give you some ideas of what to expect. Here’s what else you need to know.
Payday 3 Open Beta release date and start time
The Payday 3 Open technical closed beta test starts on Friday September 8, 2023 at 7 AM PT / 10 AM ET / 3 PM BST for Xbox Series X|S and PC players. The Payday 3 Open beta ends on Monday September 11, 2023 at 1 AM PT / 4 AM ET / 9 AM BST. There is no Payday 3 open beta for PS5 members.
How to sign up for the Payday 3 Open Beta?
To join the Open Beta, you will need to request access through the game’s Steam page on PC. If you’re playing on Xbox, you will need to select it under the “Previews” section of the Xbox Insider Hub. To recap, here’s what you’ll need to do to join the Open Beta that’s taking place soon.
- Request access through the Payday 3 Steam page if you’re playing on PC.
- Head to the “Previews” section of the Xbox Insider Hub app and select Payday 3 if you’re playing on Xbox consoles.
Unfortunately, it seems that access to the Open Beta isn’t currently available on both platforms yet, which means you may have to wait until the start date itself to start downloading it onto your platform. Keep in mind that access for Xbox players will be given based on a first come, first served basis. Steam players, on the other hand, will be able to see the game in their libraries a few moments after requesting access to the technical beta.
What will the Payday 3 Open Beta include?
As per the announcement, the Open Beta will allow players to play as all four members of the series’ original iconic clown-masked characters: Dallas, Hoxton Chains and Wolf. They’ll also get to play a scenario known as No Rest for the Wicked – a bank heist that will see players raiding a small bank with a bunch of cash up for the grabs. If you want to go in guns blazing and violent, testing some of the game’s weapons, you can. Or, if you prefer, you can opt for stealth, carefully planning your robbery and only going loud when absolutely necessary.
All difficulties will be playable in the beta, and there’ll be a level cap Infamy Level 22 and Weapon Level Progression of 8. Essentially, this is the same content that was in the recent Payday 3 closed beta a few months ago. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to play as the two newest recruits to Payday 3 – as Pearl and Joy will only be available at launch.
What is the Payday 3 beta server slam?
As part of the Open Beta, Starbreeze is also holding a ‘server slam’ event to really put the servers through their paces. At two specific times during the beta, the team wants as many people to start matchmaking at the same time as possible to try and really test the capability of the game’s servers and check everything’s holding up.
You don’t have to take part in these if you don’t want to, but the idea is that the most number of people will be finding games at this time. Of course, by the same token, it could be the time the beta is the most unstable, so expect frequent disconnects around this server slam.
In case you’re wanting to take part, here’s the times:
Payday 3 Server Slam times
- Sever Slam 1: Saturday September 9 at 12am BST (Friday September 8 at 4pm PT)
- Server Slam 2: Sunday September 10 at 5pm BST (Sunday September 10 at 9am PT)
The full version of Payday 3 is set to arrive on September 21 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC on Steam, Epic Games Store and via Game Pass and GeForce Now.
Payday 3 open beta FAQ
Is the open beta an official release?
Yes. But it won’t be the finished article and it’s usually a slice of the full game. Open betas are usually there to stress test servers or gather feedback on key gameplay decisions. In Payday 3’s case, it’s to test game servers ahead of the game’s full release.
Who made Payday 3?
Payday 3 is developed by Starbreeze Studios – who also worked on Payday 2. They’re based in Sweden and are perhaps best known for the brilliant Xbox hit, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.
