Developer Remedy has stated that the launch of its first self-published title, the Control spin-off FBC: Firebreak, was a "technical success" but commercially fell short of expectations on Steam. The studio acknowledged its disappointment with the game's sales performance.
In an investor update, the developer reaffirmed that Firebreak surpassed 1 million players. However, most players accessed the game via console subscription services (PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass), even though PC was intended to be the main platform for direct sales.
The financial report noted, "The initial onboarding experience and mission flow led to significant early player attrition and a wave of negative reviews. As players engaged more deeply and we delivered updates, the sentiment in user reviews became significantly more positive.
"Commercially, we were dissatisfied with the launch-phase consumer sales of FBC: Firebreak. To date, the game's commercial performance has been primarily supported by its subscription service agreements with Xbox and PlayStation. A substantial portion of the revenue from these deals will be recognized over the course of the contract periods."
Remedy had vowed significant adjustments last month. This commitment followed an earlier, frank admission from the studio shortly after the game's release that "not everything went according to plan."
The studio emphasized that FBC: Firebreak was built to evolve over time and maintains it is a solid game "despite a challenging launch." A substantial "Major Update" planned for late September is seen as the next critical step, which Remedy "anticipates will renew interest in the title." The company reiterated its dedication to "continuing development on FBC: Firebreak, actively engaging with the community, and expanding the game's content."
In its financial reports for the first half and second quarter of 2025, Remedy posted revenue growth for both periods, driven by increased game sales and royalties. The quarter still recorded an operating loss—though at $580,000, it was markedly lower than the $3.7 million loss from the prior year. Revenue for the first six months rose 43.4% to $35.1 million.
Regarding other projects, the studio confirmed that Control 2's development is "progressing as planned" and hitting key milestones, with current efforts concentrated on "gameplay, environments, and mission design." The Max Payne 1 & 2 remake continues in full production, with "close and productive collaboration with Rockstar Games."
In IGN's review of FBC: Firebreak, we scored it a 6/10, stating: "FBC: Firebreak is an attractive cooperative shooter that, despite its polished presentation, lacks the depth to sustain long-term engagement."
