Alan Wake Devs Still Committed to Struggling Online FPS
▼ Summary
– Remedy Entertainment launched its first live-service game, FBC: Firebreak, but it faced low player counts and balance issues in its first two weeks.
– FBC: Firebreak is an online FPS set in the Control universe, featuring cooperative gameplay and a progression system undergoing major updates.
– Update 1.3 rebalanced perk unlocks to make them more accessible, addressing player feedback and improving early-game progression.
– Remedy acknowledged the disappointing launch but remains committed to long-term support, using player feedback to guide future updates and features.
– The studio plans to add two new missions and undisclosed features later this year, while adjusting development priorities based on player response.
Remedy Entertainment, the acclaimed studio behind hits like Alan Wake and Control, isn’t backing down from its latest venture, the live-service shooter FBC: Firebreak. Despite a rocky start marked by underwhelming player numbers and balancing issues, the team remains dedicated to refining the game and delivering long-term support.
Launched on June 17 for consoles and PC, FBC: Firebreak debuted on Game Pass and PS Plus, offering a cooperative FPS experience set in the Control universe. Players team up to fend off waves of enemies while tackling objectives, blending the intensity of Left 4 Dead 2 with deeper progression mechanics. However, early feedback revealed flaws, prompting Remedy to roll out multiple updates, including Patch 1.3, which revamps the perk system to make progression smoother and more rewarding.
Previously, unlocking perks felt like a grind, with obscure resource requirements slowing down player advancement. The latest update adjusts costs, making entry-level perks more accessible while scaling higher-tier upgrades appropriately. Remedy’s goal is clear: get players experimenting with builds faster while maintaining a sense of long-term achievement.
Despite these improvements, FBC: Firebreak continues to face challenges. SteamDB charts show dwindling player counts, sparking concerns about the game’s viability. In a candid interview with GameSpot, Remedy’s communications director Thomas Puha acknowledged the disappointing launch but emphasized the team’s resolve.
“We aren’t naïve; we had hoped for a better launch,” Puha admitted. Yet, he stressed that Steam metrics don’t tell the full story, pointing to broader platform engagement. The studio is actively prioritizing updates based on community feedback, with two new missions and additional features slated for later this year.
Puha also highlighted the dynamic nature of live-service development, noting that plans have already shifted post-launch. “The game is live, players’ feedback comes in, things will change, that’s what we expected,” he said. Remedy’s commitment remains unwavering, with the team eager to see how FBC: Firebreak evolves in the coming months.
For now, the studio’s focus is on listening, iterating, and proving that their first live-service experiment can find its footing. Whether players return in droves or not, Remedy’s determination to refine the experience speaks volumes about their long-term vision.
(Source: Kotaku)
