FBC: Firebreak, the multiplayer shooter set in the same shared universe with Remedy Entertainment’s acclaimed game Control, still bears the burden with no assistance from what was said to have been a massive content update released in late September. With least of the major factors exerting an influence since its onset in June, the game had worked for the Finnish development studio to realize heavy revenue losses on the title.
According to an investor update recently released by Remedy, the shooter has now failed to meet the internal sales targets that had been set for it. The game has thus incurred commercial disappointment, which, along with the previously mentioned, has set in motion an almost 15-million-Euro worth non-cash impairment in the books of the company. The game had received the coldest of receptions, with subpar reviews coming from critics and fans alike. One of the major and constant points of contention after the launch was the lack of perceived substantial gameplay content, a major drawback for a live-service title.
The company attempted to repair the damage done with the “Breakpoint” update, which was rolled out at the end of September. This hefty patch instituted many quality-of-life and mechanic changes, including modifications to the “Orientation” tutorial level for new players, establishing the “Crisis Board” mission structure, new weapons, and an updated gun customization system. Sadly, this key intervention has ostensibly not altered the course of Remedy’s fortunes, as was hoped, nor engaged many players or brought in sales.
The problems have been most visible in metrics for players across the various platforms. The Steam version, in particular, has experienced a rapid drop, with its 24-hour peak concurrent player count now alarmingly low at just above 20 players-a far cry from almost 2,000 on release day. While Xbox, due to Game Pass, has afforded the game a better performance, the view is generally not too optimistic. Nonetheless, CEO Tero Virtala and Remedy Entertainment have been clear in their dedication to the title despite the heavy financial hit and unsuccessful patch and plan on further development in the hope that ongoing support will eventually help it claw its way back into the increasingly congested multiplayer arena.
