TL;DR
Fast Travel Games will hold playtests for Payday: Aces High on SteamVR and Quest 3 starting August 20. The game, a co-op heist shooter, is scheduled for release later in 2026, with a free post-launch update planned.
Fast Travel Games will begin playtesting its upcoming co-op heist shooter, Payday: Aces High, on SteamVR and Meta Quest 3 starting August 20. The announcement was made during the VR Games Showcase, accompanied by a new gameplay trailer. The game is scheduled for release later in 2026, with developer Fast Travel Games confirming a free post-launch heist location update before year’s end.
Payday: Aces High places players in the roles of The Aces, a team of skilled thieves framed by business magnate Warren Jupiter. The game features cooperative heists involving banks, museums, and a personal penthouse, with up to four players supported per session. AI companions will fill in for missing team members during heists.
The upcoming playtests are set to commence on August 20, offering players a first opportunity to experience the game on both SteamVR and Quest 3 platforms. The trailer showcased gameplay emphasizing teamwork and high-stakes heists, with Fast Travel Games emphasizing the game’s focus on cooperative multiplayer action. The developer has also committed to releasing a new free heist update before the end of 2023, expanding the game’s content post-launch.
While the game’s official release date remains unconfirmed, Fast Travel Games has indicated that Payday: Aces High will launch later in 2026, with wishlisting available on Steam and Quest stores.
Payday: Aces High raises the stakes in VR
Fast Travel Games is opening its cooperative heist shooter to SteamVR and Meta Quest 3 players from August 20, offering an early look at four-player robberies ahead of a planned 2026 release.
Framed thieves. Strategic jobs. Shared risk.
Players become The Aces, a crew of skilled thieves framed by business magnate Warren Jupiter. The campaign moves through banks, museums and a private penthouse, with AI partners filling any empty squad positions.
Four-player heists
Up to four players coordinate roles, timing and execution. Missing crew members are replaced by AI companions so a job can continue without a full human lobby.
High-value targets
The revealed mix includes banks, museums and Warren Jupiter’s personal penthouse—spaces designed to turn planning and teamwork into physical VR action.
Feedback before launch
Testing both PC VR and standalone hardware gives the studio an early signal on controls, balance, multiplayer stability and platform-specific performance.
What the announcement confirms
The playtest spans two major VR ecosystems, but access instructions and detailed performance targets remain undisclosed.
| Feature | SteamVR / PC VR | Meta Quest 3 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 20 playtest | ✓ Confirmed | ✓ Confirmed | Announced |
| Co-op multiplayer | ✓ Up to four | ✓ Up to four | Core feature |
| AI crew fill | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | Confirmed |
| Performance targets | ~ Not detailed | ~ Not detailed | Testing phase |
| Exact launch date | ✗ Unannounced | ✗ Unannounced | Later in 2026 |
From early access to final polish
The public playtest is more than a preview: it creates a feedback loop that can influence how the multiplayer shooter feels when it reaches full release.
Players enter testing
SteamVR and Quest 3 users get an initial hands-on opportunity.
Heists generate data
Sessions expose friction in teamwork, controls, balance and stability.
Feedback shapes polish
Fast Travel Games can prioritize fixes before the commercial launch.
Free heist follows
An additional post-launch location is planned to extend the experience.
The promise—and the unknowns
A broad early test suggests ambition across standalone and PC VR, while several release and content details still require official confirmation.
“The playtests will help fine-tune the multiplayer experience before Payday: Aces High reaches its full release.
Announcement summary attributed to Fast Travel Games
Playtest essentials
Wishlist pages are available, but the supplied announcement does not include a confirmed registration method or exact full-release date.
When do playtests begin?
August 20. The year should be checked against the official store or developer announcement because the source briefing contains conflicting dates.
Which platforms are included?
SteamVR for PC VR players and Meta Quest 3 for standalone VR players.
When will the full game launch?
Fast Travel Games is targeting later in 2026, with no specific release date announced in the supplied information.
How can players prepare?
Wishlist the game on Steam or the Quest store and watch for official access instructions as the testing window approaches.
Impact of Early Playtests on Game Development
The start of public playtests for Payday: Aces High marks a significant step in its development cycle, providing the developer with valuable player feedback ahead of the 2026 release. Early testing on both PC VR and Quest 3 platforms suggests a focus on broad accessibility and multiplayer experience, which could influence final features and polish. For players, this represents a rare opportunity to try a highly anticipated co-op VR shooter before launch, potentially shaping its future updates and success.
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Previous Announcements and Development Timeline
Fast Travel Games announced Payday: Aces High during a prior event, positioning it as a cooperative heist shooter set in a stylized universe. The game’s development has included a focus on multiplayer mechanics and immersive VR gameplay, with the trailer revealing a focus on teamwork and strategic planning. The game is part of the developer’s broader portfolio, which includes titles like Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice and Apex Construct.
While specific release dates have not been confirmed, the developer has maintained that the game will launch later in 2026, with ongoing updates planned to enhance content and gameplay experience. The upcoming playtests are seen as a critical step toward refining the game based on community feedback.
“We’re excited to invite players to experience Payday: Aces High early through our upcoming playtests, which will help us fine-tune the multiplayer experience.”
— Fast Travel Games
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Unconfirmed Details About Final Release and Content
It is not yet clear how extensive the post-launch content will be beyond the announced free update, or the exact release date in late 2026. Player feedback from the upcoming playtests may influence final features, but specifics remain undisclosed. Additionally, performance and stability details on Quest 3 and SteamVR are still to be confirmed as testing progresses.
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Next Steps After Playtesting Begins
Following the August 20 playtests, Fast Travel Games is expected to analyze player feedback to refine gameplay mechanics and multiplayer features. The developer may also announce further testing phases or provide updates on the final release schedule. Players interested in the game can wishlist it on Steam and Quest stores, with more detailed information likely to be shared as development continues.
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Key Questions
When do the Payday: Aces High playtests start?
The playtests are scheduled to begin on August 20, 2023.
On which platforms will the game be available during testing?
The game will be playable on SteamVR and Meta Quest 3 during the upcoming playtests.
When is Payday: Aces High expected to be released?
The game is scheduled for release later in 2026, with no specific date announced yet.
Will there be additional content after launch?
Yes, a free post-launch heist update is planned before the end of 2023, and further content details have not yet been disclosed.
How can players participate in the playtests?
Players can wishlist the game on Steam and Quest stores; details on how to access the playtests will likely be announced by Fast Travel Games closer to the date.
Source: UploadVR
