PS Plus Extra gets a new, worse version of Payday 2

PS Plus Extra has added a new version of Payday 2 — one that prevents a lot of new PS5 and PS4 players from accessing previously accessible licensed content.

PS Plus Extra gets a new, worse version of Payday 2
Lee Brady

Lee Brady

Published

If you haven't started unlocking those Payday 2 Crimewave Edition trophies yet, you might have missed the game's best days. While PS Plus Extra looks like it has added Payday 2, this new version of the game seems to bar access to some content. It's certainly hard to imagine the PS4 bank robbing simulator making our best PS Plus games list now.

Payday 2's latest PS4 and PS Plus update removes licensed content

For the first time in nearly four full years, Payday 2 has received a new patch on PS4 — and a new version of the game available on the PS Store and PS Plus Extra. Both the update and the new Payday 2 listing were made available on Monday, September 30, 2024, and you can see the game sitting in PS Plus Extra's Game Catalog as if it was a new title.

Payday 2It's "new," but don't get your hopes up.

Unfortunately, "new" doesn't mean "improved" in this case. According to the patch notes, the newly updated Payday 2 adds a PS5 compatibility option, fixes some minor issues, and most importantly, removes "expired licensed content" from the game.

It's this last note that makes the biggest impact, as it means that new players on PS5, PS4, and PS Plus Extra will no longer be able to access Payday 2's John Wick and Point Break content. According to developer Starbreeze on Steam, the updated version will also seemingly cut down on the game's available soundtrack.

Payday 2via Starbreeze.

If you already own a purchased copy of Payday 2, you should still be able to access all previously available content. However, PS Plus Extra subscribers playing the game through the service will only have access to the updated version with the licensed content removed.

This also means that if you haven't already unlocked Payday 2's John Wick and Point Break DLC trophies via PS Plus Extra, these will become completely unavailable to you. At least the Crimewave Edition version of the game on PS Plus Extra will still grant you access to all of the game's DLC packs that don't involve third-party licensing — you'll just miss out on these fun crossovers.
The real shame here is that PS5 and PS4 players weren't given much warning about the licensed content expiring. We're sure plenty of players and PS Plus Extra subscribers would have jumped to grab a copy of Payday 2 had they heard the game would eventually drop content permanently. At least the content hasn't been removed for long-time players, so that's definitely something.

Many of us were hoping that the sequel, Payday 3, would rank among the best PS5 multiplayer games, but we're still waiting on some vital fixes for that one. So, for now, you're still best sticking with Payday 2 — especially now that it's got some expanded PS5 options. Have you missed out on the Payday 2 licensed content? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Lee Brady
Staff Writer Lee keeps one eye on the future (Astro Bot), one eye on the past (PS1, PS2, and PS3 games), and his secret third eye on junk he really likes (Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Sonic). A PlayStation fan for over 25 years, he loves replaying classic games via PS Plus.
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