Just days before the end of 2021, Remedy has some more exciting news to share. Announced by a press release for investors, Remedy and Tencent have signed a global development, license, and distribution agreement for the co-op multiplayer game ‘Vanguard’. A big milestone in the development of Remedy’s very first free-to-play multiplayer game. What does this partnership entail exactly?
Are you up to speed about Vanguard? Vanguard is a codename for Remedy’s very first co-op multiplayer game based. First announced in 2018, the game will adapt the free-to-play model, meaning no purchase is necessary to own and play the game. Vanguard is developed with the Unreal engine, also a first for Remedy. Usually, the studio adapts its proprietary Northlight technology. While that engine has been made with multiplayer in mind, the studio still chose to use Unreal to give itself a head start. With Unreal, it’s easier to find new talent while keeping the learning curve low.
A small team has been hard at work. The project is currently in the proof-of-concept phase. The development of Vanguard will be co-financed by Remedy and Tencent. Both companies will be responsible for publishing and game operating costs, but will also share revenues. The budget for this game will be in the range of a typical Remedy AAA game budget. That means we can expect incredibly detailed worlds, characters, and exciting experiences, just as we came to expect from Remedy.
Tencent will help in localizing the game for Asian markets. Additionally, Tencent has been granted the right to develop and publish a mobile version of the game. This doesn’t mean a mobile version is in the works just yet, but it’s exciting to know both companies are thinking about the ability to play this game anywhere, anytime, regardless of your type of device.