Remedy Entertainment, the studio behind the acclaimed Alan Wake series, has recently made a significant move by securing complete ownership of its Control franchise from publisher 505 Games for a sum of €17 million.
This strategic acquisition, outlined in an investor announcement on Remedy’s official website, encompasses the entirety of the Control series, granting Remedy full control over publishing, distribution, and marketing rights.
The acquisition spans all existing titles within the Control universe, including the original third-person shooter released in 2019, as well as the highly anticipated Control 2 and a multiplayer spin-off codenamed Condor, along with any future iterations of the franchise. This consolidation of rights marks a pivotal moment for Remedy as it solidifies its position as the sole steward of the Control universe.
Under the terms of the agreement, Remedy’s existing publishing arrangement with 505 Games for Control 2 and Condor will be terminated with immediate effect. However, 505 Games will continue to act as the publisher for Control until the end of the transition period on December 31st of this year.
The €17 million investment made by Remedy for the Control franchise rights is noted to be equivalent to the total amount previously expended by 505 Games for the development of Condor and Control 2, inclusive of a minor premium. This sum will be disbursed in three installments over the course of the next twelve months.
This development invokes a sense of déjà vu, reminiscent of Remedy’s 2019 agreement with Microsoft to reclaim the rights to Alan Wake for €2.5 million. That decision paved the way for the beloved Alan Wake series to expand beyond its original Xbox-exclusive confines, leading to a remastered edition and the eventual release of a highly anticipated sequel.
While the announcement of Control 2 and Condor dates back to November 2022, both projects are still in various stages of development. Control 2 remains in the “proof-of-concept” phase, with significant progress yet to be made, while Condor, akin to Remedy’s previous ventures such as the Max Payne remakes, is advancing towards production readiness.
Remedy Entertainment’s acquisition of the Control franchise underscores its commitment to creative autonomy and long-term sustainability, heralding a new chapter for the acclaimed series and its passionate fanbase.
