Remedy Acknowledges Unsatisfactory Sales for FBC: Firebreak, Reports 5 Million Units Sold for Control

Remedy Games Reports Disappointing Performance for FBC: Firebreak

This morning, Remedy Games, a prominent Finnish game developer, released its financial report for the first half of the year. The document detailed the underwhelming performance of their latest title, FBC: Firebreak. The previously announced milestone of reaching one million players was highlighted as misleading, primarily due to the game being included in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.

Mixed Reviews and Player Engagement

In his statements, CEO Tero Virtala acknowledged that the vast majority of players accessed FBC: Firebreak through these subscription platforms, leading to a less-than-stellar performance for the Steam version of the game. He elaborated on the game’s initial challenges, indicating that the onboarding process and mission structure significantly contributed to early player attrition and a surge in negative reviews. However, Virtala noted a shift in sentiment as subsequent updates improved the gaming experience:

The game’s initial onboarding experience and mission structure resulted in high early player drop-offs and an influx of negative reviews. As players spent more time in the game and we released updates improving the game, sentiment in reviews turned more positive.

Commercial Insights and Future Prospects

Financially, the response to FBC: Firebreak’s launch did not meet the studio’s expectations. Much of its early revenue relied on subscription service agreements, with expectations for continuous revenue recognition throughout the contract duration. Despite this disappointing start, Remedy remains optimistic, viewing FBC: Firebreak as a live-service title with the potential for growth. The company is planning a major update set to go live in late September, aimed at enhancing game features and player engagement.

Positive Developments for Other Titles

On a more positive note, the studio reported that Control has surpassed five million units in lifetime sales. In February 2024, Remedy regained full control over its publishing and marketing rights, ensuring that sales revenue from this title goes directly to the developer. Additionally, Alan Wake 2 continues to maintain steady sales and accrue royalties, according to Virtala, who also provided insights on other projects in the pipeline.

Upcoming Projects and Collaborative Efforts

Among its upcoming titles, Control 2 is progressing well, albeit on a smaller budget compared to Alan Wake 2. The development team is currently focused on refining gameplay, environments, and mission elements to ensure a robust commercial offering at launch. Moreover, the remake of Max Payne 1 & 2 has shown consistent progress, with Remedy building on established momentum through a collaborative effort with IP owner Rockstar Games in the past quarter.