Key Takeaways
- Leadership Change: Tero Virtala has stepped down as CEO of Remedy Entertainment after nine years in the role.
- Financial Pressure: The move follows the poor commercial performance of FBC: Firebreak, the studio’s latest release.
- Interim Leadership: Markus Mäki assumes the role of interim CEO, while Henri Österlund becomes the new chairman of the board.
A Leadership Era Ends at Remedy Entertainment
Remedy Entertainment, the Finnish studio behind Control and Alan Wake 2, announced on October 22, 2025, that CEO Tero Virtala has officially stepped down after serving since August 2016. The announcement, published on Remedy’s official website, marks the end of a pivotal era for the company—one defined by both critical acclaim and recent financial challenges.
Virtala’s resignation comes just 12 days after Remedy confirmed that FBC: Firebreak, its most recent title, has continued to underperform commercially despite post-launch updates. The timing of the move has sparked discussions about the company’s financial stability and the long-term impact of Firebreak’s disappointing sales trajectory.
Markus Mäki Steps In as Interim CEO
Remedy’s board of directors has appointed Markus Mäki as interim CEO. Mäki, one of the studio’s original founders and previously chairman of the board, will temporarily lead the company while the search begins for a permanent successor.
In conjunction with this leadership change, Henri Österlund has been elected as the new chairman of the board. Mäki will remain an ordinary board member as Remedy transitions through this restructuring phase.
The company emphasized in its statement that its search for new leadership will prioritize “long-term stability, creative excellence, and strategic growth.” For now, Mäki’s appointment represents a steady hand from within Remedy’s founding circle, offering both familiarity and continuity during a period of uncertainty.
FBC: Firebreak and Its Fallout
The troubles surrounding FBC: Firebreak appear to have been the breaking point. Released on June 17, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the title was meant to expand the Control universe into a cooperative, action-focused spinoff. Set six years after the events of Control, the game follows a squad called Firebreak, tasked with purging the Oldest House of the Hiss infection.
Despite its intriguing premise and connection to Remedy’s wider narrative universe, Firebreak struggled to resonate with players. As of October 2025, it holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam with just over 1,700 reviews. Critics and players alike cited repetitive gameplay loops and technical issues, which even the “Breakpoint” DLC update—released on September 29—failed to fully address.
On October 10, Remedy revised its long-term sales forecast downward, acknowledging that Firebreak’s revenue performance fell below expectations. This admission likely intensified shareholder concerns and may have accelerated Virtala’s exit.
Virtala’s Legacy: Creative Success Amid Financial Uncertainty
During Virtala’s nine-year tenure, Remedy released a series of ambitious projects, including Control (2019), Alan Wake Remastered (2021), CrossfireX (2022), Alan Wake 2 (2023), and FBC: Firebreak (2025). Many of these titles earned critical acclaim and industry awards, with Control and Alan Wake 2 solidifying Remedy’s reputation as one of gaming’s most distinctive storytellers.
However, the company’s financial picture has not always mirrored its creative success. CrossfireX’s poor reception and Firebreak’s commercial struggles have raised questions about Remedy’s ability to balance narrative depth with mainstream appeal—especially as the studio moves toward more service-oriented game models.
What’s Next for Remedy
With Mäki at the helm, Remedy faces a crucial crossroads. The company is reportedly continuing development on upcoming projects within its Connected Universe, but it must now also rebuild investor confidence and stabilize its financial outlook.
The CEO transition could mark a turning point for Remedy—either as the start of a recovery phase or a deeper identity shift toward sustainable production and publishing practices.
Conclusion
Tero Virtala’s departure as CEO underscores the challenges even acclaimed studios face when creative ambition collides with market realities. As FBC: Firebreak’s fallout reverberates, Remedy Entertainment enters a new chapter under Markus Mäki’s interim leadership—one that will test whether the studio can evolve without losing the distinct storytelling flair that made it a household name in modern gaming.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of GameDegen.com. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. GameDegen.com is not responsible for any financial losses.