Remedy reveals next-gen game

Max Payne developer Remedy has named and started teasing us about its forthcoming PC and next-generation console game, releasing a couple of screenshots and a 51-second trailer.

Called simply "Alan Wake", the game is a "psychological action thriller" for PC and next-gen consoles, and the media released this evening is "all real in-game footage from our current PC build of the game," according to lead designer Petri Jarvilehto.

You can view screenshots here and we have also mirrored the trailer here (19MB, Windows Media).

"The video footage is in HDTV [High Definition Television] resolution and should give the gamers a pretty good idea on what to expect with the transition to the next generation of consoles and PC," he added.

Microsoft has already played up the high definition angle, claiming that Xbox 360 will usher in the "HD era" during this year's Game Developer's Conference. It seems likely given its track record and these comments that Remedy is at least aiming to ship the game on the new Xbox format.

As for what the game's actually about, it's something of a mystery in itself. The screenshots don't give away a heck of a lot and the teaser really does just tease.

Beginning with a shot of a stern looking chap with a torch, soon overshadowed by the "ALAN WAKE" logo, it features some shots of the game world, demonstrating the expected improvements in terms of graphical detail - in particular, watch out for the way the lighthouse reflects in the water, and the way light breaks through the trees - and bears the legends "Some are born to light" and "Some are born to endless night". Eventually the camera pulls away from a man - presumably Alan Wake - standing on a jetty in a gathering storm.

Which is pretty apt given the current flurry of teasing next-generation snippets. Alan Wake will be properly unveiled in the ATI theatre at E3 later this month, and we'll be on hand to take a look.

Remedy has yet to offer any indication of specific formats or who will publish the game. Max Payne, the franchise for which it's best known, was handled by Take Two, but it seems unlikely that Take Two is signed up yet as Remedy was entirely responsible for today's announcement - extremely unusual in the case of games already signed up anywhere.

Another reason Take Two might not be involved has to do with Max Payne itself. Last year Take Two expressed disappointment at the perceived failings of Max Payne sequel The Fall Of Max Payne, and Remedy soon confirmed that it would not be handling the third game in the series.