Remedy is excited to announce the upcoming launch of its inaugural multiplayer venture, FBC: Firebreak, an FPS game rooted in the Control universe. This article provides comprehensive insights into gameplay aspects, platform availability, and the game’s narrative ties to the expansive Remedyverse.
Over the years, Remedy has adeptly cultivated its own digital universe, intertwining over twenty years of storytelling. Players familiar with Alan Wake 2 will recognize the intricate connections that have developed.
To streamline this experience, the studio is venturing into the realm of multiplayer gaming with FBC: Firebreak. While the game retains links to previous narratives, new players can dive straight into the thrilling FPS action without needing to grasp the series’ complex history.
Since the game was unveiled during the 2024 Xbox Partner Preview on October 17, we’ve already gathered substantial information about this eagerly anticipated title.
What is the release date?
While a specific launch date for FBC: Firebreak has not yet been announced, it is projected for release in 2025.
As the reveal is recent, a definitive release date is still pending. However, provided there are no significant delays, players can expect FBC: Firebreak to arrive within the next calendar year.
The 2025 release window for FBC: Firebreak was confirmed at the conclusion of its announcement trailer.
Supported Platforms
FBC: Firebreak is set to be available on Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Importantly, players can access the game from day one through Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus (Extra & Premium tiers).
This accessibility allows fans with active subscriptions on either platform to join in without additional costs as soon as the game launches. This marks an exciting first for Remedy, demonstrating their commitment to attract a broad player base at launch.
Current pricing for standalone purchases outside of these subscription services remains unknown, though more information is expected in the upcoming months.
Will it be playable on Steam Deck?
FBC: Firebreak is confirmed for PC, and since it will be available through Steam, it is expected to be playable on Steam Deck. However, there are no guarantees regarding performance on Valve’s handheld device, as Remedy has yet to announce official compatibility details.
FBC: Firebreak may function on the Steam Deck, but performance could vary.
Is cross-platform play supported?
Although Remedy has not officially confirmed this, the FBC: Firebreak Steam page indicates that the game will support cross-platform multiplayer. This suggests that players can team up with friends across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms simultaneously.
Currently, it remains unclear whether cross-progression will be available, meaning it’s uncertain if players can transfer their progress between different platforms.
Trailers
To date, there is only one trailer for FBC: Firebreak, which premiered on October 17, 2024, during the Xbox Partner Preview event.
This brief announcement trailer provides our first glimpse at the gameplay, featuring intense three-player cooperative action.
Announcement Trailer
Gameplay Overview of FBC: Firebreak
At its foundation, FBC: Firebreak is a three-player cooperative experience focused on PvE gameplay. Players work together to combat AI-controlled foes across various linear missions, with no PvP elements present.
Set in the enigmatic Oldest House of the Federal Bureau of Control, this multiplayer adventure unfolds years after the events of Control. The building faces a new outbreak, and it falls to the Firebreak team, recognized as the Bureau’s most adaptable unit, to confront the emerging crisis.
Before embarking on a mission, players can tailor their loadouts, referred to as the Firebreaker’s Crisis Kit. This customization includes standard armaments, grenades, equipment, as well as unique items like Paranatural Augments.
Described similarly to “ultimate” abilities from Control, Paranatural Augments play a significant role, as highlighted by Communications Director Thomas Puha in an Xbox Wire blog post: “[They] are not to be taken lightly.”
Be wary of the gnome – it’s one of those ultimates that should not be underestimated.
Despite being an online-only title, Remedy emphasizes that FBC: Firebreak is not a live-service game, according to Puha. “[It] is designed to be easy to engage with and intuitive, not to resemble a second job where you spend an hour setting up your loadouts before playing. This game is not that.”
Nonetheless, depth is still present, with progression systems and unlockables to discover, and the game is intended to evolve post-launch with new content. Expect shifts in missions, maps, and weapons, as well as a narrative that unfolds over time.
Connecting FBC: Firebreak to Control and Remedy’s Universe
FBC: Firebreak is set after the events of Control. Without revealing too much, the Oldest House is now under new management, but things haven’t unfolded as expected. The building is encountering yet another outbreak, filled with familiar extraterrestrial and paranormal entities.
While the developers aim to attract newcomers unfamiliar with the original game or the broader Remedy universe, they are also committed to maintaining a strong narrative focus.
“You will encounter more of Control’s universe,” explained Game Director Mike Kayatta. “Explore the Federal Bureau of Control and meet more of its personnel. Experience the Oldest House and uncover more peculiar phenomena—engaging with both familiar and new elements from a fresh viewpoint.”
Previously, players encountered the FBC mainly from the perspective of characters like Jesse Faden or Alan Wake. Now, users will assume the roles of FBC operatives, stepping into the shoes of the agency’s elite task force.
How the missions unfold or how this narrative will further enhance the larger universe remains a mystery, but it’s clear that Remedy is eager to continue sharing “stories from that world—narratives that will persist beyond launch.”
We will be revisiting some familiar locations, but amidst a fresh threat affecting the Oldest House.
This wraps up our overview of FBC: Firebreak, Remedy’s first multiplayer title. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the release, and we’ll keep you informed on all the latest developments right here.
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