Payday 2 Subscription Service Launched – $4.99 Access to 65+ DLCs Sparks Fan Debate

Starbreeze Launches Payday 2 Subscription: $4.99 Monthly Access to 65+ DLCs

Payday 2, the long-running cooperative heist shooter developed by Starbreeze Studios, has just introduced a brand-new way for players to experience its vast library of content. After more than a decade of updates and add-ons, the studio is rolling out a subscription service that grants access to over 65 downloadable content packs (DLCs), covering heists, weapons, character customization, and cosmetics.

For a monthly fee of $4.99, or a six-month option for $19.99, players can dive into Payday 2’s full DLC catalog directly through Steam. The subscription is flexible, too—it can be canceled anytime, making it appealing for newcomers who want to test the waters or veterans looking to revisit old content without buying everything outright.

What the Subscription Includes

According to Starbreeze, the service allows players to explore Payday 2’s massive library of content at their own pace, providing a more affordable entry point into the game’s 12 years of expansions. With dozens of heists and hundreds of weapons and cosmetic upgrades bundled in, it’s pitched as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing DLCs individually.

Gustav Nisser, Starbreeze’s Head of Commercial, explained the studio’s vision:

> “With more than a decade of content behind Payday 2, we want to give players greater flexibility in how they experience the game. The subscription service makes it simple and cost-effective to enjoy everything Payday 2 has to offer—whether you’re new to the game or returning to explore DLCs you haven’t yet played.”

Importantly, all existing DLCs remain available for purchase separately. The subscription is an optional alternative rather than a replacement.

Concerns About New DLC and Pricing Changes

The fine print, however, clarifies that the subscription covers only currently available DLCs, leaving questions about future content. Since Payday 2 still receives new expansions—such as the Crude Awakening Heist released in 2023—players wonder if those will require additional purchases.

Community feedback has been mixed. Some players appreciate the flexibility:

> “New players can subscribe for a month and see what it’s all about without fully committing,” wrote one fan.

Others, however, are frustrated by the timing. Alongside the subscription launch, Starbreeze quietly increased the price of the “Infamous Collection” bundle, which contains all DLCs released since 2013. The price jumped from $100 to $150, a 50% increase, with no official announcement.

This has sparked criticism that the subscription may be designed to push players away from buying bundles outright:

> “There’s nothing wrong with the subscription itself—it’s the Infamous Collection pricing change which is the problem,” said one community member.

Another added:

> “It feels like they’re just trying to slip it under the radar. Moves like this erode goodwill so fast.”

Comparisons to Payday 3

The controversy comes at a time when fans are already sensitive about Starbreeze’s monetization approach. Payday 3, released in September 2023, launched with fewer heists than its predecessor but has since been adding content through DLCs—some of which have been priced higher than usual. Players worry that the subscription model in Payday 2 could foreshadow similar strategies in Payday 3.

Final Thoughts

The Payday 2 subscription service undeniably offers excellent value for those who want access to more than a decade of heisting content at a low monthly price. For new players, it’s an easy gateway into one of the most popular cooperative shooters of the last decade.

However, the price hike of the Infamous Collection and the uncertainty around future DLC support have left parts of the community wary. At the time of writing, Starbreeze has not issued an official response to these concerns.