Fans of Dungeons & Dragons are buzzing with anticipation following the blockbuster success of Baldur’s Gate 3. However, not all news is uplifting: a highly anticipated title known as “Project Baxter” has officially been scrapped by Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.
Starbreeze, the Swedish developer renowned for the Payday franchise, was working on this project. In a recent announcement, CEO Adolf Kristjansson revealed that this “difficult but necessary decision” stems from a strategic pivot towards revitalizing Payday. Consequently, development on “Baxter” has halted, with some team members being reassigned to different projects while others will receive assistance in finding new jobs.
Initially unveiled in 2023, “Baxter” was expected to incorporate familiar elements from Starbreeze’s previous titles, such as a live-service model and cooperative gameplay. Although the studio had kept mum about further updates, the game was slated for a 2026 release across all major platforms. In early 2024, Starbreeze even teased concept art, suggesting more details were on the horizon.
The Dungeons & Dragons universe has seen its share of live-service games. Before Baldur’s Gate 3, there was the co-op reboot of Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, which only just shut down its servers this past February. Notably, Wizards of the Coast also cancelled five unannounced games prior to Baldur’s release, hinting that some of these could have been D&D titles. As of this moment, a single-player action game set in the D&D universe from Giant Skull, led by Star Wars: Jedi director Stig Asmussen, is still in the works.
Have you been wondering about upcoming titles in the Dungeons & Dragons universe?
What happened to “Project Baxter”? The project was officially canceled as Starbreeze shifts its focus back to revitalizing the Payday franchise.
Why did Starbreeze cancel “Project Baxter”? The studio’s leadership deemed it a necessary decision to prioritize the ongoing development and enhancement of their successful co-op heist game, Payday.
When was “Project Baxter” first announced? Starbreeze introduced “Baxter” to the public in 2023, initially projecting a release in 2026 across all major platforms.
Did “Project Baxter” have any unique features? Yes, it was expected to incorporate cooperative gameplay and a live-service model, elements that fans enjoyed in previous Starbreeze titles.
Is there another Dungeons & Dragons game still in development? Yes, a single-player action game from Giant Skull is currently being developed and aims to bring fresh stories from the D&D universe to life.
While the cancellation of “Project Baxter” is disheartening for fans, it opens the door for future innovations within the Dungeons & Dragons realm. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming announcements — who knows what exciting projects are still in the pipeline? For continuous updates on games, movies, and more, explore related content on Moyens I/O.