Troubled Swedish games firm Starbreeze said that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has impacted on its efforts to find a publisher for Payday 3.

That's according to CEO Mikael Nermark, who told investors in the company's most recent financial report that talks with potential partners were continuing though not as fast due to travel restrictions. owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our discussions with potential partners regarding a future publishing agreement for Payday 3 are continuing in a positive spirit, but travel restrictions due to Covid-19 have somewhat impeded ongoing discussions. We are optimistic that a good publishing agreement is in the offing," he said.

"COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the world and on Starbreeze as a company. We are carefully monitoring developments, adjusting to prevailing circumstances and following the recommendations of government authorities. To ensure the well-being of our people to the greatest extent possible, all employees have been working remotely since mid-March. Although this is a new situation for most, it is working well and has had no discernible effect on our productivity. At the same time, we see that the previously implemented cost savings established and having full effect. We executed a directed issue during the quarter which will create stability for the company."

For the first quarter of the 2020/21 financial year, Starbreeze cut its losses to kr97.3m ($9.9), which is a significant improvement on the kr167.3m ($17m) that the company was facing in the last financial year.