Payday 2 Gets Major 64 Bit and DirectX 11 Upgrade With Smaller Install Size

Payday 2 is receiving one of its biggest updates in years, with a new Diesel 3.0 engine upgrade that moves the game to 64 bit architecture and DirectX 11. The update is expected to improve stability, reduce loading related issues, lower VRAM use, and cut the game’s install size from 86GB to around 32GB.

The upgrade is especially notable because Payday 2 launched more than a decade ago and still has a large player base. Rather than adding only new content, the development team is rebuilding major parts of the game’s technical foundation to improve how it runs on modern PCs.

An open beta for the Diesel 3.0 update will begin on Steam on June 30. The developers plan to use the beta period to test the rewritten version before releasing it more widely.

The Move to 64 Bit Should Improve Stability

The biggest part of the update is the shift from a 32 bit to a 64 bit version of the game. A 32 bit application is limited to using around 4GB of memory, which can create problems in large missions, heavily modded setups, or systems running several background programs.

With 64 bit support, Payday 2 will be able to access more system memory. That should improve stability and compatibility on modern PCs, particularly for people who use mods or run the game with large texture packs and custom content.

The change will also give mod creators more room to develop larger projects without running into older memory limitations.

DirectX 11 Replaces the Older DirectX 9 Renderer

Payday 2 is also moving from DirectX 9 to DirectX 11. The update is not mainly focused on visual improvements, but it should make the game more efficient on current hardware.

The team says the new renderer can reduce VRAM use, which may help lower end and older graphics cards run the game more comfortably. DirectX 11 also gives developers a more modern graphics foundation than the older DirectX 9 system that Payday 2 has used for years.

This may not turn Payday 2 into a visually new game overnight, but it could make the experience smoother and more reliable for players using modern Windows PCs.

The Game Will Need a Full Redownload

Because the engine upgrade changes the game’s packaging and bundling system, players will need to download the game again. The benefit is a much smaller installation, with the size expected to fall from 86GB to 32GB.

That reduction could be especially useful for players who keep Payday 2 installed alongside other large games on limited SSD storage.

The developers have said the rewrite has been in development for around nine months. Since the update changes so much of the game behind the scenes, many mods may stop working at first.

Modders Will Need to Update Their Creations

The Diesel 3.0 upgrade is likely to break most existing Payday 2 mods. The developers have encouraged mod creators to use the open beta period to test and repair their projects before the final update arrives.

That may cause temporary disruption for the modding community, but the shift to 64 bit architecture could offer better long term opportunities for larger and more advanced modifications.

No console version of the engine upgrade has been announced. For now, the June 30 open beta is limited to Steam players.

For a game that is more than 13 years old, Payday 2’s engine rebuild is a significant update. The smaller install size, newer renderer, and 64 bit support could help keep the heisting game running well for years to come.