Since the studio's formation back in 1995, Remedy Entertainment has become intrinsically linked with ambitious single-player experiences, developing titles like Max Payne, Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and 2019's Control. However, it appears the developer will be making a big departure from this reputation in the near future, revealing today that it's aiming to revolutionize co-operative combat through an upcoming title known as Vanguard.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz about the project, Remedy's CEO Tero Virtala revealed that Vanguard will be the studio's first steps into the free-to-play market and an ambitious new experience that relies on the core pillars of the developer's other games. "In the co-op space, there are a few highly successful games," the CEO states while talking about the project, elaborating on where he thinks this lack of success stems from.
"In PvP and team-vs-team, the content creation is not that big of an issue because the other players are the content," he tells the publication, noting that no two multiplayer matches are ever the same because there's no need for scripted encounters. The way Virtala sees it, the "the content treadmill" has always held co-op games back, as they rely on hand-crafted scenarios that are unable to pose a unique experience every time. It means co-op games struggle to keep player interest in comparison to titles like Fornite or Overwatch. Remedy has sought to find a solution to this problem through Vanguard, which Virtala hopes will offer a long-serving co-operative experience that can "tell stories via the world and exploration."
Vanguard allegedly checks off another big box for Remedy, which claims it has been pushing to own "at least three expanding game brands." Although that could extend to any franchise, the way Virtala sees it, the simplest way to cultivate a long-running IP in the modern games' market is to create a service-based structure. It means the team can continue to update the franchise for years and keep it prevalent in the public eye, which is seemingly the idea behind Vanguard's free-to-play strategy.
That's not to say the company has abandoned traditional single-player experiences though. During the interview, Virtala reveals that Remedy is currently split into four teams working on five games. The developers behind Control are creating the studio's next AAA experience, which the company has teased will be a continuation of Control and Alan Wake's storyline. Meanwhile, a second team is currently developing two unannounced titles that have been funded by Epic Games. The third and fourth teams are working on the upcoming CrossfireX and Vanguard, confirming that fans of Remedy Entertainment can expect much more to come in the near future.
Vanguard is currently in development.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz