During the Xbox Partner Preview showcase this week, Control developer Remedy Entertainment revealed its newest game, FBC: Firebreak. It's a three-player co-op first-person shooter set within the universe of Control, the developer's 2019 sci-fi action-adventure game.
While set in the same universe, Remedy was sure to point out that it's not being developed as a sequel or DLC to Control. It is its own game.
"FBC: Firebreak is not Control DLC and it’s definitely not a Control sequel," said game director Mike Kayatta. “We’re actively avoiding coming even close to feeling like either of those things. I guess you could say that it’s a spin-off, but in the most positive sense of the word. It’s not designed to be some kind of lesser, bite-sized Control. FBC: Firebreak is its own, fully formed thing.”
The announcement was accompanied by a reveal trailer that showcased some of the chaotic action players can expect to encounter in the game.
"It’s going to be easy to get into, a game that you can enjoy with your friends and tackle multiple hectic co-op missions showcasing that Remedy creativity," added communications director Thomas Puha.
In FBC: Firebreak, you take on the role of a fearless first responder in the Federal Bureau of Control, "sent to fend off paranatural threats in the dark heart of its shifting, eldritch headquarters, The Oldest House."
Although it's not a sequel to Control, it does take place after the events of the game and offers a new way to deliver stories from that world. Remedy ensures that players do not have to have played Control to understand what's happening in FBC: Firebreak, although those who did play the single-player game will notice some details and content there for them.
Not many details have been revealed thus far but the trailer does tease some unique gameplay elements that set it apart from other PvE multiplayer shooters. Players will have access to paranatural augments, which are Altered Items engineered into tool attachments.
“Like the Garden Gnome you saw in the trailer. These are more or less our take on ‘ultimates’ and are not to be taken lightly. I like to think of them as a jaguar in a box [laughs]. You carry the box, you point it at something, you open the box, and you just kind of hope the jaguar doesn’t turn around and eat you or your friends instead," explained Puha.
Remedy isn't describing FBC: Firebreak as a "Games as a Service," although they did confirm it will have post-launch content. "We will be releasing a steady supply of new content for players to get excited about, keep the game fresh, engage with the community and give a reason to come back," confirmed Puha.
FBC: Firebreak is set to launch in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. It will be a Day One title on Game Pass.