Treatment is gearing as much as launch its first-ever multiplayer undertaking with FBC: Firebreak, an FPS title set within the Management universe. From gameplay particulars to platform data and the way its story connects to the branching Remedyverse, right here’s the total rundown.
Treatment has slowly however absolutely been constructing its personal digital universe. There are threads connecting greater than twenty years value of storytelling collectively, and if you happen to’ve performed Alan Wake 2, you know the way convoluted it might probably all be.
Seeking to simplify issues slightly, the acclaimed studio is now engaged on its very first multiplayer-only undertaking. FBC: Firebreak continues to be related to all the pieces that’s come earlier than, however you gained’t have to wrap your head round it to get in on the chaotic FPS enjoyable.
Whereas the sport was solely simply revealed through the 2024 Xbox Associate Preview occasion on October 17, we already know a fantastic deal in regards to the upcoming launch. From the way it performs to the platforms it’s launching on, right here’s all the pieces you must know.
Is there a launch date?
There may be at present no actual launch date for FBC: Firebreak, however we do know the sport is focusing on a 2025 launch.
As the sport has solely simply been revealed, it’s too early for a concrete launch date to be locked in, although followers gained’t have to attend too lengthy. Exterior of any unexpected delays, FBC: Firebreak is on observe to launch within the subsequent calendar 12 months.
TreatmentFBC: Firebreak’s 2025 launch window was confirmed on the finish of the sport’s announcement trailer.
Platforms
FBC: Firebreak is ready to launch throughout Xbox Collection X | S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Notably, the sport shall be accessible on day one by means of each Xbox Recreation Move and PlayStation Plus (Additional & Premium tiers).
This implies followers with lively subscriptions throughout both platform can successfully bounce in at no additional value the second the sport turns into obtainable. This can be a first for Treatment, and marks their try at casting the widest internet potential by attracting as many gamers in at launch.
There’s at present no telling how a lot the sport might value if bought as a standalone merchandise outdoors of those subscription providers. Additional particulars will little doubt be revealed within the coming months.
Is it on Steam Deck?
As FBC: Firebreak is coming to PC, and thru Steam’s launcher no much less, it would actually be playable on Steam Deck. Nevertheless, there’s no assure how nicely the multiplayer title will run on Valve’s handheld system, as Treatment hasn’t but outlined plans to make it formally appropriate.
TreatmentFBC: Firebreak might run on the Steam Deck, however efficiency will clearly be a priority.
Is it cross-platform?
Whereas not explicitly confirmed by Treatment, the FBC: Firebreak Steam web page features a label to point help of cross-platform multiplayer. This implies the sport ought to allow you to group up with pals throughout PC, Xbox, and PlayStation .
It’s at present unclear if cross-progression is supported, nonetheless, so there’s no telling if you happen to’ll be capable to proceed a grind from one platform on one other.
Trailers
Up to now, just one trailer for FBC: Firebreak has been revealed. The announcement trailer debuted on October 17, 2024 as a part of the Xbox Associate Preview occasion.
Whereas temporary, this announcement trailer gave us our first have a look at direct gameplay, displaying intense three-player co-op motion.
Announcement Trailer
FBC: Firebreak gameplay particulars
At its core, FBC: Firebreak is a three-player cooperative first-person shooter. It’s strictly PvE, with gamers teaming collectively to fend off AI-controlled enemies in a sequence of linear missions. There isn’t a facet of PVP in any respect.
Set throughout the Federal Bureau of Management’s mysterious Oldest Home, the multiplayer sport takes place years after the occasions of Management. The constructing has been ravaged by an outbreak and it’s as much as the Firebreak group, “the Bureau’s most versatile unit” to place a cease to the disaster at hand, or a minimum of attempt to.
Earlier than loading into any given mission, gamers are in a position to customise their loadouts, recognized right here because the Firebreaker’s Disaster Package. This contains the plain like weapons, grenades, and gear, but additionally the extra distinctive like Paranatural Augments.
Paranatural Augments, very like how they appeared in Management, are described right here as “roughly our tackle ‘ultimates,’ Communications Director Thomas Puha stated in an Xbox Wire weblog publish. “[They] are to not be taken flippantly.”
TreatmentAfter all, the gnome is one such final that you simply don’t wish to get in the best way of.
Whereas online-only, Treatment has sought to make clear its intentions with FBC: Firebreak. It’s not a live-service sport, per se, as Puha put it. “[It] needs to be straightforward to get into and shortly comprehensible, not really feel like a second job or that you must spend an hour organising your loadouts earlier than you get right into a session. This isn’t that sport.”
Although that’s to not say there’s no nonetheless loads of depth to be discovered. There are development programs with unlockables to trace down, and the sport is ready to evolve over time with new content material drops too. Not solely will missions, maps, and weapons doubtless all be shuffled round, however the story too, is ready to be instructed over time as nicely.
How does FBC: Firebreak hook up with Management? Treatment’s Related Universe defined
FBC: Firebreak takes place after the occasions of Management. With out spoiling something immediately, the Oldest Home is below new management, although not all has gone in line with plan. The constructing has been impacted by one other outbreak, with all the same old extraterrestrial and paranatural entities operating amok.
Whereas striving to welcome new gamers that haven’t skilled the primary sport, or anything in Treatment’s Related Universe, devs have nonetheless ensured that storytelling continues to be a key focus right here.
“You will note extra of Management’s world,” Recreation Director Mike Kayatta defined. “Extra of the Federal Bureau of Management. Meet extra of the individuals who work there. Discover extra of the Oldest Home. Run into extra bizarre stuff. And importantly, expertise this world, previous and new, from a totally completely different perspective.”
Previously, we’ve solely ever encountered the FBC whereas standing throughout from them, be it as Jesse Faden or Alan Wake. Now, nonetheless, we get to imagine the position of FBC operatives immediately, moving into the footwear of their strongest process power.
Precisely the place the missions lead or how the story pushed the general universe ahead is anybody’s guess for now. However we do know Treatment has massive plans to proceed telling “tales from that world – tales that may maintain being instructed after launch.”
TreatmentWhereas we’re exploring some acquainted places, it’s at a unique time with the Oldest Home ravaged by a brand new risk.
So for now, that’s all the pieces there may be to learn about FBC: Firebreak, the primary multiplayer undertaking from Treatment. Relaxation assured, as additional particulars emerge and we get nearer to the sport’s launch, we’ll maintain you up to the mark with all the newest proper right here.