Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak Could Be Blueprint for a Type of…

FBC: Firebreak brings the mind-bending world of Control into a multiplayer setting, introducing an intriguing change of pace for developer Remedy Entertainment. The three-player co-op title promises an even deeper dive into Control and its lore, making FBC: Firebreak an exciting new way to explore the game's otherworldly features.

In recent years, Remedy Entertainment has really expanded its capabilities, as both Control and the Alan Wake series have slowly formed into an extended universe. Using a blend of horror and paranormal-focused mystery, Remedy Entertainment's universe has boasted some wonderfully absurd concepts, and FBC: Firebreak seems to take it up yet another notch. Until now, Remedy Entertainment has put most of its energy into single-player narratives, and venturing into multiplayer territory isn't an easy transition. However, if FBC: Firebreak happens to be a successful way to showcase more of Control's world, then other single-player franchises that are branching out into the multiplayer space will want to take note.

FBC Firebreak melee attack promo screenshot

Control Spin-Off Co-Op Game Coming to Xbox Game Pass

Remedy Entertainment unveils a Control spin-off promising an action-packed co-op experience, which will also be a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.

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By Dominik Bošnjak

FBC: Firebreak Could Inspire Other Evolving Franchises

Single-Player Narratives Exploring Multiplayer Approaches

When it comes to franchises that have mostly focused on single-player gameplay, Sony comes to mind for many. From God of War to Uncharted, many of the company's biggest franchises have been single-player stories. However, Sony has been aiming to change that. FBC: Firebreak may not be a Sony exclusive, but it could still serve as the blueprint for the company's live-service ambitions. Sony has struggled to get its co-op plans to take off. After the failure of Concord and the cancelation of several multiplayer projects, like The Last of Us Online, the company will need to go back to the drawing board.

As of now, one of Sony's only live-service projects still currently in development is the secretive Horizon multiplayer spin-off. With this project not likely to be released any time soon, Guerrilla Games and Sony could very well be preparing to watch how the launch of FBC: Firebreak goes. This is also a completely new landscape for Remedy Entertainment to explore, so if the studio is able to pull it off with its own IP, then that could give Guerrilla Games the fuel and inspiration it needs in order to properly frame Horizon in a multiplayer setting.

In addition to The Last of Us Online, a Twisted Metal multiplayer project has also been scrapped.

A Unique Look Into Control's Supernatural Lore

The announcement of FBC: Firebreak seems to showcase a well-balanced blend of what makes Remedy Entertainment games so compelling while also succeeding at its co-op mechanics. Of course, this is only in-game footage and has yet to be experienced by players, but the multiplayer gameplay is likely to work if the title stays true to the strange energy of Control. Based on the footage from the reveal trailer, FBC: Firebreak almost looks like a fun blend of Lethal Company and Ghostbusters, which could prove to be a special combination.

FBC: Firebreak will feature a first-person perspective, which is another departure from Remedy Entertainment's usual third-person formula.

The Remedy Entertainment universe is bizarre and absurd, which is what makes Control and Alan Wake such fascinating and beloved series. With FBC: Firebreak, it seems as though this multiplayer spin-off is fully embracing this absurdity by bringing some self-aware humor into the mix. Although the game has yet to reveal a specific release date, FBC: Firebreak is now added to the continuously growing list of major games scheduled for next year. It will be intriguing to see how Remedy Entertainment reworks one of its most popular series as a multiplayer experience. If it proves to be a hit, then other single-player franchises curious about multiplayer spin-offs will potentially have a solid source of inspiration.

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