Remedy Entertainment gained a lot of confidence with the release of 2019’s Control. Now, the studio has pulled back the curtain on its next entry—their first multiplayer game—FBC: Firebreak. CGMagazine attended a digital preview showcasing the game’s gameplay and the blueprints that inspired Remedy’s first multiplayer project, coinciding with the developer’s 30th anniversary. Communications director Thomas Puha, game director Mike Kayatta and community manager Julius Fondem provided a detailed breakdown of the development of FBC: Firebreak.
FBC: Firebreak was described as an online co-op FPS designed for three players, set within a mysterious federal agency under assault by extradimensional forces in the Control universe. Players battle through hordes of reality-warping anomalies and otherworldly monsters known as the Hiss. Missions take players back to the main stage of Control, called the Oldest House, where they customize gear and level up to combat the ever-growing Hiss threat.
Kayatta emphasized that this new multiplayer experience is meant to bring in new audiences while providing an elevated experience for players familiar with Control. He also noted that FBC: Firebreak is designed to be a more fun, laid-back experience compared to Remedy’s single-player narrative-driven games. While intended for three players, the game can also be played solo or in duos.
“Essentially, FBC: Firebreak is aimed at players who want to hop in for an hour or two and create memorable moments with friends online.”
Essentially, FBC: Firebreak is aimed at players who want to hop in for an hour or two and create memorable moments with friends online. Alternatively, three random players can team up to tackle the Hiss in shared game sessions. This structure appeals to fans of shorter multiplayer experiences like battle royales and extraction shooters, such as Fortnite or Delta Force.
For those interested in the Control lore, the game takes place six years after the events of protagonist Jesse Faden. As director of the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC), Jesse is still dealing with the lingering effects of the Hiss infestation. The Hiss are extradimensional entities capable of infecting humans and turning them into chaotic monsters. For six years, the FBC has been under lockdown within the Oldest House to contain the outbreak. Now, a new team called Firebreak has been tasked with handling Hiss-related incidents.
The Firebreakers are FBC volunteers who function as “first responders” in this universe, sent to deal with crises across the Oldest House. This approach reflects the game’s light-hearted tone. Just like the Firebreakers, players are equipped with specialized gear and weapons and are expected to learn on the job.
Remedy also showcased a trailer titled Paper Chase, featuring cinematics and gameplay footage. A core element of FBC: Firebreak is what the developers call “Jobs”—missions for three-player crews. Each Job is custom-built and varies based on its location within the Oldest House, tailored objectives and unique crises (such as rogue sticky notes). Jobs are divided into three zones.
Before starting a Job, players must select a Threat Level and a Clearance Level. The Threat Level determines the combat difficulty and the rewards earned. The Clearance Level dictates the number of zones (one to three) that players can traverse and the types of rewards available. Generally, each zone is designed to last about 20 minutes, making a full Job session roughly an hour long.
Clearance Levels also affect the likelihood of encountering Corrupted Items during a Job. However, this is an “endgame” mechanic that developers plan to discuss at a later date.
Like real-life first responders, Firebreakers require specialized gear to handle crises. Players will have three saved loadouts called “Crisis Kits,” each catering to a specific tool and playstyle. These include the Jump Kit, Fix Kit and Splash Kit. Players can swap Kits mid-Job if they need to adjust their tactics.
“FBC: Firebreak’s emphasis on fun, all playable content will be free for all players, with out-of-game purchases limited to cosmetic items.”
Players can also earn “Perks,” which are research upgrades that alter gameplay. For example, one Perk allows missed bullets a chance to return to a player’s clip, while another lets players extinguish themselves by jumping up and down.
Reinforcing FBC: Firebreak’s emphasis on fun, all playable content will be free for all players, with out-of-game purchases limited to cosmetic items. The developers confirmed the game will not feature any “pay-to-win” mechanics. While they did not comment on potential DLC or expansions, they suggested they would be open to additional content if players engage with the game’s various Jobs over time.
From a technical standpoint, Remedy is known for visually stunning single-player titles that often demand high-end PC hardware. However, developers assured that FBC: Firebreak is optimized to run on lower-spec PCs and will be fully supported on Steam Deck. The game runs on Remedy’s Northlight Engine, the same engine used for Control and Alan Wake 2.
Although, those with higher-powered rigs will still be able to take advantage of the game supporting DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation and the entire DLSS 4 technologies, NVIDIA Reflex, and will support full ray tracing.
FBC: Firebreak will launch on Xbox Series X|S (including PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate), PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store) and PlayStation 5 (including PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members). Remedy confirmed this will be a mid-priced title, likely priced around $40 to $50 USD rather than the $60 to $70 range of Alan Wake 2. While no official release date has been announced, FBC: Firebreak is set to launch in summer 2025.
