Tencent signs deal with Remedy to publish Vanguard in Asian markets

Mobile port also in the works

Remedy Entertainment and Tencent Holdings Inc have signed an agreement to allow the latter localization and publishing rights for the former’s upcoming mystery title “Vanguard.“ Vanguard, currently in the works for PC and consoles, will be localized, marketed, and published in select Asian territories by Tencent. The holding group is also responsible for the development of a mobile port for the lucrative Chinese market.

“Vanguard marks Remedy’s first entry into Games-as-a-Service business model, executed by our top tier team of free-to-play experts,” said Remedy CEO Tero Virtala of the agreement. “We are building something new and exciting for co-operative multiplayer space, on top of Remedy’s strengths. Expanding our capabilities to take on publishing responsibilities is the next step in the development of our company. We are excited for this long-term partnership with Tencent and with confidence can say that it is an excellent fit in supporting Vanguard’s ambitious plans.”

“Vanguard” is believed to be a large-scale, free-to-play, co-op shooter that will combine state-of-the-art visuals and high-intensity combat with Remedy’s love for deep lore and complex clandestine narratives. While Remedy has more than proven its ability to craft fantastic action titles with creative storylines, (Max Payne, Alan Wake, Control), the free-to-play/games-as-a-service angle is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows — lest any developer forget the disastrous marketing surrounding Square Enix release Marvel’s Avengers.

Vanguard, still in its proof-of-concept stages, is obviously a very long way from its day in the sun. As such, Remedy will have to see the lay of the land when it comes to both gaming audiences and gaming itself. Vanguard sounds like an incredibly ambitious project — perhaps Remedy’s most ambitious to date — so here’s hoping, for the developer’s sake, that the title’s final form proves as appealing and engaging to the player as it is epic and vaunted in its marketing talk.