Remedy "definitely" wants to do Wake 2

By Tom Bramwell Published 24 June, 2010

Can't see why Microsoft wouldn't go for it.

Alan Wake developer Remedy would love to make a sequel to its Xbox 360-exclusive psychological thriller, but Microsoft hasn't said yes yet.

That's according to head of franchise development Oskari Hakkinen, who told IGN that the studio is "in a limbo at the moment".

"We're still in launch phase of Alan Wake 1, but Microsoft have an option for [a sequel]. That was in the deal a long time ago.

"I don't see why they wouldn't. We're happy with the partnership and they're happy with the game. I think it fits in their portfolio quite nicely. I don't see any reason why we wouldn't continue with Microsoft and why we wouldn't renew the IP. We definitely want a sequel of course."

Hakkinen also said that a sequel would take considerably less time to produce.

"Max Payne 1 took us also five years to make. Max Payne 2 took us 18 months. I think we'd be looking at something of a similar cycle."

As to what happens in the meantime, Hakkinen said that there are no downloadable content plans beyond The Signal and The Writer, but more content is a possibility.

"Originally we agreed that we'd only do two," he explained.

"Microsoft are interested in more episodes. Where we're sitting right now is we'll see how these go. We'll see how the attach rate is to the episodes."

The Signal is a free add-on for the game available to people who bought the game new, and will be released on 27th July. The Writer is the game's first premium content and is due out later, with a 560 Microsoft Points (£4.76 / €6.72) price tag.

Check out our Alan Wake review for more.

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (38) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Stuz359 #1 2 years ago

    Maybe they don't want to die of old age waiting for the release?

  • AaronTurner #2 2 years ago

    Such a good game, if the DLC is of the same quality as the game and is of decent length then I will buy them all.

  • DonnieDarko333 #3 2 years ago

    Exactly...maybe they want the sequel to be released on 360 and not their next-next gen console!

  • MarcusJ #4 2 years ago

    Yes! Somewhere another 100 flasks lie uncollected...

  • rashes #5 2 years ago

    Wonder how well it sold? That usually determines if it gets a sequel.
    And at the risk of treading old ground, I thought that the EG review was way out on this one.

  • davisorle #6 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 15:13:12 09-05-2012

  • muscleblade #7 2 years ago

    Dead space is no more an FPS than Alan Wake. Both games is in the third person perspective. They are both great games in the same genre although Dead Space is more of a shooter.

    Alan Wake and Crackdown 2 will keep me entertained through the summer.

  • PoundHound #8 2 years ago

    @Rashes - According to VGChartz, AW sold 427,823 in it's first 5 weeks of release. That makes me a saaaaaaad panda :(

    I don't hold out much hope for a sequel.

  • adofessex #9 2 years ago

    Alan wake took a long time because they built an engine originally to be free-roam open world. A sequel can simply build on what they have. Spending more time with story and dialogue and mixing up the gameplay. I dont think it would be hard to improve on Wake 1 with what they already have to work from.

  • metalangel #10 2 years ago

    A bear having a wank, you say?

  • brseg #11 2 years ago

    one possible problem is that although it sold ok, it wasnt exactly a blockbuster on the charts, and with such a story-driven game it might be hard getting new customers into a sequel. MS arent entirely stupid, if the numbers dont stack up they wont do it.
    BTW, was there ever a demo?

  • Raznilof #12 2 years ago

    This doesn't sound promising at all.

    I loved Alan Wake's moody and atmospheric trek through those forests. I actually didn't care so much for the story's development in the last two chapters and had preferred that it all remained a bit more grounded in forests. In the same way David Cronenberg's movies (the good ones) do not explain when the ongoings are in the imagination of a character, or that they are actually happening. Less Lynch, more Cronenberg ; )

    But that is just a little critique for a game that was full of atmosphere and had a really fun, often engaging and stylisch combat system. Great music and audio too. The play world as a "universe" I found entirely believable, if indeed somewhat stuffed with empty cars and cliché's.

    I too thought the review did not do my experience enough justice but that's not the same as saying it was a bad review. It's just one of those games that doesn't lend itself to continuous playing. The game structure (chapters) is a very distinct signal how it could be best enjoyed. But as said, the review wasn't unfair even if I would have preferred to focus a bit more on those things that work.

    The game is highly re-playable, just like the original Max Payne. Once you start to "dare" more into the enemies (instead of backing so they all run in a single line towards you) the combat really has it's stylish moments. But you have to create this for yourself. Also, don't pick up the pages, I think that's in there for people easily scared. Perhaps a bit like how you tell kids what's going to happen so they won't be startled ; )

    Back to this news, the fact that Remedy is now openly asking for support (the hidden message?) is not the best of news for a guaranteed sequel. I for one would be picking it up on day one. I think with the feedback from gamers and reviewers and more focus, they could make a killer game. The engine paints a gorgeous world and if Microsoft has the money to invest in their future, I'll do the same again when it is released. If you haven't played this yet, pick it up, it's really a fun game!

  • CaptainQuint #13 2 years ago

    It was a good game; but I agreed with the EG review: it was a tad dated in it's sensibilities. The combat mechanics were brilliantly done and the atmosphere was superbly well realised with the aid of beautiful visuals and quality sound design; but the pacing was a mixed bag and repetition was an issue. Halfway through though the game got really good and it kept it up until the ambiguous finale.

    Wake is a dull as dishwater lead, though.

  • Moribundman #14 2 years ago

    I went into a rant about this elsewhere. MS have essentially buried Alan Wake, after 6 years of quiet hype about it being a platform seller, they released it with minimal promotion, little love and IMMEDIATELY before RDR. Practically suicidal release strategy. Even the DEMO of Crackdown 2 is getting more MS love than Alan Wake did. Even the Bright Falls episodes got an irregular and untrumpeted release on Live.

    Obviously Remedy want to make more, and its a promising start to a franchise, but if MS put the brakes on that due to poor sales figures then they really only have themselves to blame, EG review or no EG review...

  • Moribundman #15 2 years ago

    @android123 Ummmm... "start generator"? "push crate"?

    Granted it wasn't the QTE-gasm that was Heavy Rain but the occasional box pushing was a little jarring. Generators were good for generating suspense when the Taken were closing in though.

  • dingo75 #16 2 years ago

    Don't look at us PC folks Remedy.
    Enjoy your Limbo and being in bed with MS!

    I will pick up AW as soon as Zavvi etc. will price it the usual 22 EUR offer.

  • Moribundman #17 2 years ago

    @dingo If they caved and did a PC version after all (a la Mass Effect 1) and released it at a sensible time, they would be doing themselves (and Alan Wake fans) a massive favour.

    Especially as they seem to have nothing much to do while they're "sitting in limbo"... Maybe a "special edition" with the game and the DLC for PC release?
    Edited by Moribundman at 24/06/10 @ 10:37

  • metalmike25 #18 2 years ago

    I just finished Alan Wake last night. It starts off too slowly but really picks up pace later on. Very enjoyable game but the convoluted story and repetitive gameplay spoiled it a bit. Think the review was spot on.

    By the way did anyone think of Garth Marenghi the whole way through? Would make a great sequel!

  • MonsieurToni #19 2 years ago

    I am not sure what kind of costs there are for a game with such a long development time but it certainly must run in millions if not tens of millions. For such an expensive development it would be foolish not to expect a bit better sales than what Wake has had thus far, though there aren't any reliable charts available (as vgchartz seems to equal UK to "rest of the world outside US/Japan";). Hence the reluctancy from Microsoft's side to show green light for development of the sequel.

    Yet, I think that recent news that Microsoft is setting emphasis more on PC gaming (cf. e.g. Fable III), could of course mean that they actually would release Alan Wake to PC. This would likely give the game some much needed sales with (likely) minimal costs. And who knows, maybe Alan Wake will be a steady seller of 20,000 - 50,000 copies per week which will eventually lead to that magical one million mark. I just think that everyone, including Remedy, expected a way better sales for this one. And sales is the reason they release sequels, not charity.

  • Quak #20 2 years ago

    Maybe Microsoft hasn't signed on the dotted line yet because it took you 6 years to get the first one out the door?

  • dingo75 #21 2 years ago

    Someone from Remedy stated that it's up in MS' hands whether a PC version comes or not.
    Shows that they have no say whatsoever in these matters since they went to bed with MS.

    I don't understand how devs can agree on being bought by the big publishers while seeing how one by one of them lost their IP and the right to decide on which platforms their games will be released.
    In the end it's probably money and so my emphaty for the poor dev is pretty limited as it's right now with Remedy!

    The PC made them big (like EPIC). Then we got spit on since "PC gaming is dying due to dirty pirates" (EPIC).
    Now some of them come crawling back and want our support. Fuck them!

    Seems "mea cupla" is in fashion now (BP, EA and Activison to name but a few in the last days).
    If we'd let them fly so easily we react like the abused part in an abusive relationship...

  • Eraysor #22 2 years ago

    Along with Dead Space, this game got the most "incorrect" review on EG in my opinion. It was brilliant.

  • Xardan #23 2 years ago

    It didnt sell particularly well did it? Thanks to the poor release date alongside RDR.

  • bratmandu #24 2 years ago

    Alan Wake 2, coming: fall 2024.

  • sneetch #25 2 years ago

    @MonsieurToni

    I'd make a guess that it's 30 or so people minimum based on the incredibly scientific method of counting heads in their Team photo on their jobs page. ;) If those thirty or so people were all working on it for 6 years the wage bill alone would be a whole lot not to mention the cost of the facilities, hardware and day to day operating costs. I wouldn't be surprised if the game cost $10-20 million. Obviously this is just a guess, it might be much more, it may even be a little less, only Remedy and MS would know for sure.

    Ah, Google is my friend:

    http://forum.alanwake.com/showthread.php...

    How much has it cost so far to develop Alan Wake?

    The game's production costs were estimated at 7 million dollars before Remedy entered in to a publishing deal with Microsoft. Remedy was financing the production itself for a couple of years until Microsoft Game Studios came in with its vast resources. The game's final budget is a business secret.

    So it was estimated at €7 million before MS got involved in 2006. Who knows how much extra the delays cost?

    Personally, rather than getting the Xbox version I'm waiting for the PC one (if it shows up). If they do bring it out then that's excellent; I know a few people who were planning on buying it who don't own an Xbox, but if they don't do it soon they run the risk of it being lost amongst "newer" titles when it actually does come out.
    Edited by sneetch at 24/06/10 @ 12:56

  • Kami #26 2 years ago

    Coming Fall 2020, begging borrowing and stealing ideas from games which will have shaped the genre a decade before it.

    I said it before. Prove me wrong Remedy. Prove me wrong.

    edit; And vote me down, Alan Wake IS NOT ORIGINAL. There's an undercurrent of a game that had hope in there, you can see it so clearly, but it's disjointed from the actual game which feels... well... a bit shallow. It's not bad but after six years of waiting, surely Remedy could have delivered more than an album of covers? Most artists can pump out two or three decent to good albums in that time.

    Harsh truths are still truths.
    Edited by Kami at 24/06/10 @ 12:57

  • makeamazing #27 2 years ago

    It doesnt look good for a sequel then by the looks of things... this sounds like a sound bite to try and get MS to sign off on a sequel.... From the reviews that it got, i dont see why MS shouldnt give it another go, i mean the tech is now there, and they can improve on it and release it in quick time... yes they may have lost a few million, but this cost is probably alot less then they have been spending on silly exclusivity timed deals. MS needs more exclusive games.

    If MS dont bite, and i was rememdy, i would also consider getting the PC version out asap, they could probably make some good money on that (as long as they arnt contracted to not release a PC version).

  • brseg #28 2 years ago

    Whenever I watch videos/reviews of AW I just keep seeing that dreadful lip syncing. How can a MS funded game, ironically so dependent on narrative, look that bad? Anyway, from comments above, the game clearly has something good about it, I will pick it up eventually.

  • AaronTurner #29 2 years ago

    It's an opinion of yours, not a truth. It's clearly a game that some people love and some people dislike. Personally I feel like it was a breath of fresh air, a very focused story driven single player experience. I loved it all, the atmosphere sucked me in.

  • Xardan #30 2 years ago

    I havent actually played it yet. But i plan to and i hope its good. Seems to be a game some people have strong opinions about for some reason. Particularly Kami above. Not sure why that is really but i think alot of gamers really need to take a lesson in moderation or something and maybe a reality check.

    Games really arent all 'deep and meaningful' just simply good entertainment and i expect Alan Wake to will deliver just that. So why people want to dispute that and ram their opinions down my throat i'll never know.

    If you have such strong opinions and want to share with others then look to more worthy mediums like film and literature which are more than just entertainment. You will find it more rewarding and a more substantive experience.

  • spudsbuckley #31 2 years ago

    Kinda thought this wouldn't end up getting a sequel. MS seemed to give up on it the closer it got to release and i'll be genuinely surprised if the DLC ever comes out. Great game though.

    The only way it'll get a sequel will be if it uses Kinectic and changes the name to Waggle Wake.

  • Phishfood #32 2 years ago

    For the amount of time they spent making it Microsoft didn't get a good enough return.

  • makeamazing #33 2 years ago

    That might be true, but then do you think that most games that take 5 years make money back within a couple of months... very few. This is why they do DLC and even better for the bottom line is release another game using the same tech quickly.

    So actually by not developing another they basicaly lose the investment.

    I mean Dead Space probably lost money, so they should probably not develop another right? Its not just about the initial cost its about the IP and what it will be worth if you continue to develop it. The same goes for the Tech.

  • Calgon #34 2 years ago

    From what Ive seen, across the board now its clearly the case that the number of people who played it enjoyed it and think the EG review was harsh FAR out number those who think it was fair(a handfull of people who dont really have much negative things to say about it in contrast) or have bitched about it and nit picked in the same vain as the review did.

    I bet half the people bitching didn't end up playing it so that says alot in itself (Kami Im looking at you) and would tip the scales even further in the positive reactions camp.

    I don't think you can blame MS if it really hasn't sold enough(I think alot of people are just presuming it hasn't, lets wait for the real figures to come through... infact isn't it better to wait atleast till the end of their before proclaiming flop?) that mini series thing didn't look cheap and you can bet MS payed for it all, it had plenty of attention really.
    Edited by Calgon at 24/06/10 @ 18:26

  • FeralGamer #35 2 years ago

    I just started Alan Wake on my new 360S model. Great game so far, but some of the textures are crap. Nothing to dock points about, though. Oh, a side note for those who are interested:

    I placed a thermometer over the fan of my 360S to see how hot it was running. I'm getting temps from 119-123F, around 50C or so... Just thought you'd like to know that it's not running as hot as some people claim. I reckon there are other games more taxing on the processors, but yeah, 50ish playing Alan Wake so far.

  • brseg #36 2 years ago

    @Calgon - sales figures on vgchartz.com list it at approx 500,000. Interpreting them is another matter. Its the same ballpark as UFC2010 and World Cup 2010, so prob unfair to call it a 'flop', but obviously way off other hits of this year.

  • Grayvern #37 2 years ago

    The sales not being blockbuster in terms of sale is a reason to reuse the engine and make a sequel, not a reason against.

    Edited by Grayvern at 25/06/10 @ 01:27

  • rocklnd #38 2 years ago

    I liked the atmosphere and the graphics were amazing, but by Episode 3 I was already very bored of the combat and repetitive enemies. Very disappointing game