It Vows To Dodge The One Live-Service Death Trap

After a long time in the oven, FBC: Firebreak was officially announced during the Xbox Partner Preview yesterday, and all of us Remedy fans have every reason to be excited. This is, after all, the studio’s first venture into multiplayer gaming, and given the studio’s stellar track record, there’s no doubt we’re in for a fun time.

Plus, from the get-go, it’s clear that Remedy is doing a lot of work to ensure its new venture succeeds, such as already avoiding the one common trap that has caused a ton of live-service games this generation to die untimely.

Remedy Is Focusing on Simplicity Above All Else With FBC: Firebreak

So, what do we know about the game so far? Well, for starters, it’s going to be a three-player co-op FPS that seemingly takes place right after the events of Control, with the players playing as the first responders in the FBC. At the same time, the game will most likely also carry the studio’s trademark creativity and unique flavor.

Seeing as how Remedy has built a reputation for crafting some of the most incredible and outlandish gaming experiences, most are super confident that Firebreak will channel those exact strengths into the multiplayer space as well.

The main thing to note about the game, as Remedy themselves continue to emphasize, is that Firebreak will not be a live-service title but will feature post-launch content to keep players coming back to it.

Not only that but the game is designed to be a straightforward “pick up and play” experience from the beginning, which, if we’re being honest, is most certainly refreshing to hear.

FBC: Firebreak – Remedy’s first ever multiplayer game https://t.co/emepZcKyzl

-Not Control DLC or a sequel, takes place after Control
-3-player co-op
-Take on roles as first responders in Federal Bureau of Control
-Game is easy to get into that can be enjoyed with friends… pic.twitter.com/HMegDjPRa3

— Wario64 (@Wario64) October 17, 2024

Most titles in this and previous generations often add convoluted mechanics to make them feel more unique. This problem has especially plagued the live-service space: just take a look at games like Concord, whose mechanics were so complex that most who gave the game a try rarely bothered themselves with them.

Unlike other titles that have tried too hard to introduce novel yet convoluted mechanics, Remedy is keeping things simple by ensuring that Firebreak avoids becoming a labyrinth of confusing systems, and you know what? The studio has our respect for it.

Apart From Simplicity, What Else Can We Expect Out of FBC: Firebreak?

From the way the game’s director, Mike Kayatta, described it, one of the main things Remedy seems to be doing right with Firebreak is balancing familiarity with innovation.

From the paranormal augments, like the quirky “Garden Gnome” Ultimate seen in the trailer, which has already become the talk of the town, to the familiar yet fresh setting in The Oldest House, the title promises to maintain the eerie charm and world-building of Control.

Of course, the emphasis on multiplayer doesn’t mean Remedy is sacrificing depth either; players can expect a fun mix of absurd yet serious tones in the game—just like in previous Remedy titles—but tailored to the co-op experience. It won’t be as scary as Alan Wake 2, but it will most certainly build on that game’s more absurd and hilarious moments.

Now, it goes without saying that some do have legitimate concerns about it all, as FBC: Firebreak is Remedy’s first multiplayer and first-person shooter title, covering genres where the studio lacks previous experience.

But, if we’re being honest, these worries will most likely be allayed as more trailers and previews drop, given the sheer care and attention the developers are putting into the game. If anything, we’re full of hope that this leap into multiplayer will turn out to be another success story for the studio.

But with all that said, what are your thoughts on the game based on the announcement trailer? Are you excited to jump into it when it comes out in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!