ThoughFBC: Firebreakis set to expand Remedy Entertainment’s in-game universe as an FPS offshoot ofControl, it also appears to be making the same controversial decision as the studio’s other recent game,Alan Wake 2. Besides being Remedy’s first-ever multiplayer game, the initial announcement and upcoming launch ofFBC: Firebreakcould be a refreshing change of pace as a continuation of the events of the firstControl. However, while a sequel toControlhas been confirmed and teased viaAlan Wake 2’sThe Lake HouseDLC,FBC: Firebreakappears to be a lighter, more action-oriented game inRemedy’s connected universe of games.
ButFBC: Firebreakalso seems to be taking more notes fromAlan Wake 2than just precedingControl’s eventual sequel, especially when social media posts, game prices, and available platforms suggest that the game will only be available as a digital copy.
Though a digital-only strategy might work best for an online PvE co-op shooter, it marks a growing trend among Remedy’s games not receiving physical versions, similar toAlan Wake 2. Yet, whileAlan Wake 2was eventually released as a physical copy after initial criticism,FBC: Firebreak’s launch could aim to test the waters for Remedy’s future games.
After Alan Wake 2, FBC: Firebreak’s Digital-Only Release is Risky
In contrast to Remedy’s reputation for immersive story-driven single-player games with the likes ofAlan Wake,Control, andQuantum Break,FBC: Firebreakexplores new story and gameplay ideas that the studio might otherwise have been unable to. WithFBC: Firebreakcapitalizing onControl’s existing narrativesand designs, the upcoming multiplayer game can focus on ensuring its gameplay loop remains engaging and rewarding for players, while free post-launch updates can pull from a wealth of established lore. Moreover,FBC: Firebreakcould continue to evolve and lead back intoControl 2,given that the sequel is confirmed to be in development.
However, any successFBC: Firebreakmight have could be undermined should it not receive a physical release, especially when it could spark the same backlash thatAlan Wake 2saw when it initially released as a digital-only game. While the sequel’s digital exclusivity likely faced heavier opposition from bothAlan Wakefans and players critical of digital-only game ownership, this doesn’t mean thatFBC: Firebreakwon’t face controversy likeAlan Wake 2. Despite Game Director Mike Kayatta insisting that “FBC: Firebreakis its own, fully formed thing,” its association withControlcould leave it open to the same level of scrutiny.
As Remedy Entertainment’s First Multiplayer, FBC: Firebreak is Already Risky
Since Remedy has primarily focused on story-driven single-player campaigns to date rather than multiplayer games, there are no previous games in its portfolio to properly compareFBC: Firebreakto. For instance, another developer best known for its story-driven RPGs, BioWare’s online multiplayer gameAnthemfailed to perform despite recent successes inMass Effect 3andDragon Age: Inquisition. With Remedy seemingly in a similar position and potentially leaning onControl’s story and characters like Jesse Fadenas leverage, there’s no guarantee thatFBC: Firebreakwill be as successful as its other games.
FBC: Firebreak’s Digital-Only Release Could Reinforce A Precedent
As a result, restrictingFBC: Firebreakto a digital-only release could dissuade players from buying the game at launch due to the uncertainty regarding the entertainment value of its gameplay and the potential likelihood of cancellation if the game underperforms. However, while the digital-only model has worked for other online multiplayer games such asFortniteandHelldivers 2, Remedy’s games are typically single-player. Therefore, shouldFBC: Firebreakbeat the odds and prove successful, it could embolden the studio’s position on favoring digital-only games regardless of the backlash it received forAlan Wake 2.
