FBC: Firebreak Struggles to Gain Traction on PC Despite Remedy's Ambitious Vision
2025-06-25 21:22:00Remedy Entertainment's highly anticipated multiplayer debut, FBC: Firebreak, is encountering significant challenges in attracting PC players. Since its June 17 release, the game's peak concurrent player count on Steam has failed to surpass 2,000, raising concerns about its long-term viability in the competitive shooter market.
Set within the expanded universe of Control, FBC: Firebreak represents a bold departure for the studio known for its narrative-driven single-player experiences. The $40 title incorporates some live service elements while avoiding more controversial mechanics like battle passes or daily login rewards. Despite being available through Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus subscriptions at launch, the game's PC performance has been particularly underwhelming.
SteamDB statistics reveal a concerning picture, with the game's all-time peak at just 1,992 concurrent players and a 24-hour average of only 245 users. These numbers pale in comparison to Remedy's older titles like Control and Max Payne 3, which continue to maintain stronger player bases years after release. The Steam community has expressed frustration with several aspects of the game, particularly its lack of comprehensive tutorials and limited launch content that many players completed within 48 hours.
Matchmaking issues have compounded these problems, with numerous reports on Steam forums of players unable to find matches across any game mode. This technical challenge creates a vicious cycle where fewer players lead to longer queue times, further discouraging potential newcomers.
Remedy Entertainment has acknowledged these challenges and outlined plans to address them through substantial content updates. Communications Director Thomas Puha confirmed that two major expansions are planned for 2025, with additional updates continuing into 2026. These will introduce new missions, enemy types, equipment, and rewards to enhance the game's longevity.