Remedy's Control spin-off FBC: Firebreak launched on Xbox Game Pass last month to a somewhat muted reception, and now the team has admitted that it had "hoped for a better launch" with its multiplayer title.
In a new interview with GameSpot, Remedy's Thomas Puha touched on how the game has been doing so far, and how services like Xbox Game Pass are helping to bring new players in. Puha says "we aren't naïve" in regards to the success of the launch, but they're adamant there's lots more to come from FBC: Firebreak.
"We aren't naïve; we had hoped for a better launch, but the team here is super-motivated to continue building the game and responding to player feedback. We already reacted during launch week with patch 1.2, making some big changes to the game. As Remedy does, we'll do things with smaller teams in our way and try to solve challenges creatively."
The interview went on to discuss launching on Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, and how that's helpful but also presents its own challenges. Puha says "it's pretty clear that players from subscription services tend to stick around for shorter periods", while adding that "a good number of new players [are] coming in every day on console" thanks to these services.
"Subscription services are an easy way for a large number of players to try the game, and it's great for cross-platform matchmaking--you have more folks to play with. Being on these services also makes it easy for players to return when we release new updates and exciting new content."
In closing out the chat, Puha boldly states that Remedy "is fully committed to FBC: Firebreak" and that the team is "curious to see what it will be like later in the year". We'll have to see what the rest of 2025 brings for FBC: Firebreak, but Remedy seems aware that there's lots of work to do with its first live service title - despite the launch being bolstered by the likes of Xbox Game Pass.