If you've ever thought that what the hit third-person shooter "Control" really needed was a cooperative multiplayer mode, you'll be overjoyed to hear that Remedy today signed a deal with publisher 505 Games to develop a new four-player PvE spinoff of "Control, to develop a new four-player PvE spin-off of "Control" codenamed "Condor."

"We have been working with 505 Games for over four years and have gone from strength to strength in our respective fields. We are pleased to expand and deepen our partnership. [This new agreement supports Remedy's goals of expanding our games into long-term franchises, creating benchmark-setting games, strengthening our commercial capabilities, and working with great partners we can succeed with.

From "Max Payne" to "Control," Remedy has historically been a single-player-focused game studio and was even contracted to develop the single-player campaign for the online shooter "CrossFire X" in 2019.Control Game Director Mikael Kasurinen admits that there may be "skepticism" about his ability to create multiplayer games, but he also says that co-op games "can be accessed collectively, with friends ...... can shine as brightly as any single player experience".

"We believe we can create a shared experience without compromising our own unique DNA or the story we want to tell," he wrote.

"Yes, we will have to rethink our angles, our techniques, and our thinking, but we see it as an exciting challenge.

"We approach this with a mixture of excitement and respect. We want to create something that is engaging yet approachable, something that any of our fans can jump in and feel at home in. Together."

Remedy and 505 have also agreed to "high-level cooperation terms to further expand the Control franchise with a bigger budget Control game," which I can only read to mean that a full-fledged sequel is also in the works. Kasurinen did not say much more than that, except to state that he is "very excited about the future of the Control franchise."

"It will be a long time before I can show off these projects," he wrote. 'I'm going back to the lab for a while, but don't worry, I'll be back soon.'

Kasselinen also shared what is presumably concept art of a condor, four control operators patiently waiting to be replaced by a clerk after a very rough day at the office. whether Remedy needs a multiplayer spin-off. I don't know, but the energy in this image made me eager to give it a try.