Remedy Voices Concerns Over FBC: Firebreak's Launch Performance

In a surprising twist, Remedy Entertainment has expressed dissatisfaction with the sales of its newly launched live-service shooter, FBC: Firebreak, particularly on Steam, where expectations fell short.

During a recent half-year financial briefing, CEO Tero Virtala revealed a staggering 63.5% jump in revenue, largely thanks to FBC: Firebreak's release, which amassed over a million players within its first ten days. However, the excitement was overshadowed by an alarming trend: most players opted for the game on Xbox Series X/S and PS5, where it debuted on subscription services from day one.

High Hopes Meet Reality: Steam Underperformance

Describing the launch as "underperforming," Virtala reflected on the initial onboarding experience that resulted in a steep drop-off rate and a wave of negative reviews. He admitted that while early feedback was discouraging, subsequent updates have shifted player sentiment toward a more favorable view.

"Commercially, we were unsatisfied with the launch-phase consumer sales of FBC: Firebreak," Virtala stated, underscoring that the bulk of the game's revenue has originated from its subscription deals on Xbox and PlayStation, which will continue to provide income over time.

A Game with Room to Grow: Plans for Improvement

FBC: Firebreak is particularly significant for Remedy, being their first self-published title and a spin-off of the acclaimed game Control. Shortly after launch, the company acknowledged community feedback, vowing to enhance the gaming experience. A month post-launch, they addressed common onboarding issues and released patches aimed at smoother gameplay.

"FBC: Firebreak was designed as a game that evolves over time," Virtala remarked confidently. He noted that players who spent an hour or more in the game generally provided positive reviews, indicating that the core gameplay is entertaining, despite initial hurdles.

Exciting Updates on the Horizon

Anticipation builds as Remedy prepares for a major update in September, which they believe will reignite interest in FBC: Firebreak. "We remain committed to improving the game, connecting with our community, and expanding its features," Virtala promised.

In other updates, Remedy confirmed that the development of Control 2 is progressing well, with a focus on gameplay, environments, and missions. Additionally, the remake of Max Payne 1 & 2 is now in full production.

Sales Success for Control and Alan Wake 2

On another positive note, lifetime sales of Control have exceeded 5 million copies. Earlier this year, Remedy regained the publishing rights for the title, leading to a boost in sales. Meanwhile, Alan Wake 2 continues to perform steadily, though specific sales figures remain under wraps.

While the future looks promising with upcoming updates and projects, all eyes are on Remedy as they work to turn the tides for FBC: Firebreak.