Remedy Entertainment is giving PlayStation 5 players a 48-hour head start on Control Resonant, a decision that has already sparked backlash from portions of the gaming community.
The studio revealed yesterday that Control Resonant, the follow-up to one of its most popular titles, will launch on September 24. What should have been straightforward celebration instead turned complicated once players learned the details. The digital deluxe edition includes two days of early access, but only for those on PS5. Xbox and PC buyers of the same premium edition get no such benefit, suggesting the perk stems from a marketing arrangement with PlayStation.
The frustration has already translated into lost sales for some. Several players said they now plan to skip the preorder entirely or hold off until discounts arrive, unwilling to endorse what they see as an unfair practice.
One user expressed their disappointment clearly, stating, “Great, now I know what September game to skip until holiday sales.”
Another comment highlighted the distinction between different types of exclusivity:
Platform-exclusive content is one thing. Platform-exclusive ‘early access’ while selling the same Deluxe Edition on every platform is another. My money will be going elsewhere.
Early access has stirred debate in the industry for years, largely because it lets publishers effectively charge extra for the true release date. If paying more unlocks the game at the same moment others are playing, the “early” label becomes questionable. The model capitalizes on players fear of missing out, but attaching it to a single console pushes the tactic into new territory.
The timing adds another layer of pressure. The game is set to land on September 24, the same day as Silent Hill: Townfall, setting up direct competition between the two horror-tinged releases. At least one player has already made their choice clear regarding the upcoming release window.
One fan noted that “Shame, Silent Hill: Townfall suddenly looks like a much [nicer] purchase on September 24.”
September has become an unusually packed month for major releases, with publishers seemingly treating it as a final window before Grand Theft Auto 6 reshapes the landscape. A new entry in the Call of Duty franchise is scheduled to follow in October, though that timing is routine for the series and it is one of the few franchises positioned to survive near GTA 6’s orbit. Recent reports suggest the practice of early campaign access may be spreading to other major titles, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 could have Campaign Early Access according to recent reports. With wallets stretched thin, September shoppers will be choosy, and studios will need to work harder to earn their dollars.
Meanwhile, Remedy CEO: Alan Wake And Control Should Have Sold More, As He Addresses EA Background Skepticism recently outlined how new chief executive Jean-Charles Gaudechon wants to broaden the audience for both franchises. Whether a move like platform-locked early access helps or hurts that goal is still an open question.
