Remedy Entertainment has officially confirmed that its upcoming title Control 2 is being developed with a smaller budget than its critically acclaimed 2023 release, Alan Wake 2. The studio’s CEO, Tero Virtala, revealed in an interview with Game File that the game will have a budget of €50 million (roughly $57 million USD)—a notable decrease compared to the ambitious scope of its predecessor.
While some fans may view the smaller budget as a risk, Remedy is confident that the decision reflects a more focused and financially sustainable approach to AAA development. The project is being co-financed in partnership with Annapurna Interactive, the publisher known for titles like Stray and Outer Wilds.
“Control 2 is still in the proof-of-concept stage,” Virtala said, “but it’s progressing well, and we believe the new budget model allows us to take creative risks without compromising the overall quality.”
Released in 2019, Control was widely praised for its unique narrative, stylized visuals, and atmospheric gameplay—earning multiple Game of the Year nominations. Naturally, expectations for its sequel are high, especially after the massive critical success of Alan Wake 2, which became one of 2023’s most celebrated games. However, despite its glowing reviews, Alan Wake 2 took more than a year to turn a profit, underscoring the financial risks of large-scale development in today’s market.
By scaling down the budget for Control 2, Remedy aims to deliver another top-tier single-player experience while avoiding the pitfalls of ballooning development costs. This strategic move reflects a growing trend in the industry: creating high-quality games with smarter financial planning.
With Remedy and Annapurna joining forces, Control 2 could strike a powerful balance between artistic vision and business reality. More details are expected as the game progresses beyond early development stages.