The new CEO of Remedy emphasizes the importance of focusing on the company's own intellectual property and highlights lessons learned from past errors

Jean-Charles Gaudechon, the new CEO of Remedy, has highlighted the studio's plan to concentrate on its proprietary intellectual properties and fully capitalize on its key series.

Speaking with The Game Business, Gaudechon remarked on the complexities of game development and the challenge of achieving success, noting, "It's easy to judge in hindsight."

This decision comes on the heels of learning from their venture into a new gaming genre with FBC: Firebreak, which was their initial foray into self-publishing.

Reflecting on the venture, Gaudechon expressed respect for past leadership but noted the difficulties experienced, saying, "You realize the leap can be much greater than it appears."

Following the release last June, the studio adjusted its FY25 projections due to underwhelming sales of Firebreak, resulting in a non-cash impairment of €14.9 million.

Firebreak's consumer sales did not meet expectations, underperforming notably on Steam, which was intended to be the primary sales platform on PC, leading to Remedy's dissatisfaction.

Earlier this year, a substantial content update was released for Firebreak, with commitments to its players that the game would stay accessible for several years following its final update.

Discussing future plans, Gaudechon stated that the company will channel efforts into the expansion of its well-established IPs.

In 2024, a strategic partnership was formed with Annapurna to finance Control Resonant and to bring both the Control series and Alan Wake into television and film adaptations, according to an agreement.

"Our collaboration with Annapurna is about elevating our games and expanding the audience," Gaudechon noted, adding the goal is to maximize existing successful franchises.

He conveyed that cross-media endeavors will play a crucial role in increasing the reach and sales of these franchises, rather than simply focusing on creating more games.

Gaudechon mentioned that entering market segments like free-to-play mobile games will be considered only if they align with Remedy's core strengths.

He emphasized, "You don't try to chase business trends and then develop a game. That's ineffective. We stick to what defines us: narrative-driven, single-player experiences and our acclaimed IPs."

Concluding his remarks, Gaudechon stated that uniqueness and creative expression are crucial for standing out in a market crowded with generic products, asserting that Remedy has established its foundation by pursuing this path.