Remedy Confirms FBC: Firebreak Still Fails to Meet Sales Targets Despite Update Boost

Remedy Entertainment has confirmed that its live-service shooter FBC: Firebreak continues to struggle commercially, even after September’s “Breakpoint” update improved player sentiment and engagement. The studio has revised its profit outlook downward, citing “weak sales” and a substantial financial impact despite positive player metrics.

The Control spin-off launched on June 17, 2025, as Remedy’s first self-published title. While its debut drew over one million players in the first ten days, the studio noted that the majority came from Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 users via subscription services. On Steam, where the company had expected its strongest direct sales, Firebreak “underperformed.”

Thanks to Insider Gaming, we have the comment from Remedy CEO Tero Virtala. He acknowledged the gap between initial player interest and the game’s commercial performance.

“FBC: Firebreak was launched on June 17th. In its 2025 half-year financial report, Remedy reported that FBC: Firebreak’s launch-phase consumer sales underperformed,” said Virtala. “After the launch, the company rapidly developed the game based on player feedback and released multiple updates. Despite improved player and sales metrics after the update, sales have not reached Remedy’s internal targets.” — Tero Virtala, Remedy CEO

The September 29 “Breakpoint” update aimed to overhaul major gameplay systems, adjusting mission structures, progression pacing, and cooperative combat balance. The studio reported that the update improved review sentiment and stabilized retention, particularly among players who spent more than an hour in the game. However, Remedy has now warned investors that these changes have not translated into significant new sales.

The studio issued a profit warning, stating that operating profit for the year will be “negative and below the previous year.” It also confirmed a non-cash impairment related to Firebreak’s development and publishing costs, signaling that the project’s financial performance has forced a reassessment of future investment. Remedy says it will “continue developing and improving the game in line with updated long-term sales forecast.”

The disappointing sales follow earlier reports in August, when Virtala first described the studio as “unsatisfied” with Firebreak’s launch performance. At the time, Remedy said that while technical stability and player count exceeded expectations, the onboarding process and early mission design had led to high player drop-offs and mixed reviews.

“The game’s initial onboarding experience and mission structure resulted in high early player drop-offs and an influx of negative reviews,” Virtala admitted in August. “As players spent more time in the game and we released updates improving the game, sentiment in reviews turned more positive.” — Tero Virtala, Remedy CEO

Virtala emphasized that a large portion of Firebreak’s early revenue came from console subscription agreements, which continue to generate income throughout the contract period. While these deals softened the immediate financial blow, the underperformance on PC—considered the key platform for long-term sales—remains a central issue.

FBC: Firebreak was designed as an evolving live-service experience tied to Remedy’s Control universe, exploring new gameplay mechanics and cooperative storytelling within the Federal Bureau of Control setting. The title marked a major shift for the studio, best known for narrative-driven single-player games.

Remedy has confirmed that while it continues supporting Firebreak, development focus remains spread across other internal projects. Control 2 is reportedly on track toward its next milestones, with production concentrating on gameplay systems, mission flow, and environments. The studio also continues full development on its Max Payne 1 & 2 remake project.

Lifetime sales of Control have now surpassed 5 million copies globally, reinforcing Remedy’s commitment to expanding the series. However, FBC: Firebreak’s current performance suggests that the transition to a live-service model has presented significant challenges for the studio’s first self-published venture.

Remedy stated that it remains committed to refining Firebreak’s experience and maintaining community engagement, but financial expectations for the title have been lowered as the studio moves forward with its broader development roadmap.