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Report: Alan Wake stops snoozing May 2010

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 13th 2009 at 9:29AM }

Alan Wake will allegedly premiere in late May of next year on Xbox 360. MCV reports that "a source close to the game" gave the new release date and suggested that the title would be promoted "in the style of a Hollywood movie."

Officially, we know that Wake's drawn out development will conclude in "Spring 2010" -- around the 5-year mark. We've also previously been told that the game has been done since August and is ~~in hibernation~~ being polished over and over again. We've followed up with Remedy and Microsoft to see if either would like to confirm today's reported release date.

Impressions: 'Alan Wake' runs toward darkness

by Xav de Matos { Oct 9th 2009 at 12:10PM }

click to enlarge

Previously on Alan Wake... in search of lost manuscript pages for a novel he doesn't recall writing, Alan Wake is searching the Pacific Northwest town of Bright Falls for his missing wife. The pages aren't only a clue as to where Alan must search next, but seem to be the basis of a dark force taking over the small town.

In the latest demo of Alan Wake, the title character is without a weapon or the protection of a light source -- the only thing that can slow down the darkness taking over the small town. During this section of the game, Alan must retreat into the darkened forests, pursued by an FBI agent named Nightingale who is sure Wake is to blame for all of the terrible things happening in the town. Sadly, Nightingale may not be wrong.

Gallery: Alan Wake

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Lessons from GDC Europe: The 'seven pillars' of a Remedy IP

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 19th 2009 at 3:08AM }

During his speech at GDC Europe – exhaustively titled "From Max Payne to Alan Wake: Creating Intellectual Properties the Remedy Way" (air!) – Remedy Managing Director Matias Myllyrinne laid out the seven pillars the company uses for its games:

1. Strong Lead Character -- Main character is iconic and easy to get on the surface. Things went wrong when Myllyrinne wanted the Max Payne sequel to simply be called The Fall of Max Payne. The compromised title admittedly didn't work out in the sales department. He didn't mention anything about Rockstar's reimagined Max Payne in the latest sequel.

2. Mainstream approachability -- Avoiding niche and cliché settings (for video games that would mean no WWII setting, dragons, sci-fi, etc.). Having gameplay mechanics that are approachable (low barrier of entry to start playing the game).

3. Cinematic -- Taking lessons learned from movies. The presentation of Max Payne makes this pretty obvious. With Alan Wake the company is focusing on the trinity of the flashlight, Alan himself (see: pillar one), and the gun. This also lead Myllyrinne to an anecdote about presentation, saying "It's not what things are, it's what the audience thinks things are." He mentioned the Ingram gun was made bigger in Max Payne because people expect that gun to be larger than it actually is in real life.

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Remedy's Sam Lake shows off Remedy's Alan Wake

by JC Fletcher { Aug 17th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Remedy writer Sam Lake narrated a video presentation of Alan Wake at gamesCOM, providing the most detailed look we've seen yet at the psychological thriller. We see Wake realize that his wife is missing, and begin the undertaking of piecing together the manuscript that he doesn't remember writing, and whose events are coming true. Lake discusses the role of the game's light sources, which act as shelter and weapons against the shadowy, possessed townspeople.

We're delighted to see this much of Alan Wake. By revealing this much footage, Remedy seems to be treating it like a real game that, in fact, "is done."

Gallery: Alan Wake

Reassuring: Alan Wake is 'done,' being polished

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 17th 2009 at 11:44AM }

Remedy Managing Director Matias Myllyrinne tells Joystiq that Alan Wake is finished and getting all gussied up for its release next spring. After a GDC Europe presentation on how Remedy handles intellectual property, we asked the executive if the long-in-development title would be ready to wake when the snow melts. Myllyrinne noted, "It's all done, we're just polishing at this point."

Wow, great! With something like six months to go before its "spring 2010" launch, Alan Wake should shine by the time it's released. Considering the title has been in development since 2005, it's good to know that the game is "done" and just trying to become its very best.

Gallery: Alan Wake

Interview: Remedy's Oskari Hakkinen on Alan Wake

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 16th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Now that Alan Wake is officially out of hiding, we decided it was time to hit up Remedy for some info. Thankfully, Remedy only slammed the door on us a few times before finally acquiescing to our request for an interview. Foot planted firmly in the doorway, we had a chance to ask Oskari Häkkinen, Head of Franchise Development, a few questions. Read on to learn about the game's shift from open-world to a more linear adventure, choosing a writer as the protagonist and just what you'll be doing when you aren't killing monsters with a flashlight. Also, because we just had to know, find out what Remedy thinks of the new Max Payne.

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Remedy: Alan Wake PC decision is in Microsoft's court

by Randy Nelson { Jul 15th 2009 at 5:30PM }

The official Alan Wake fan site, Brightfalls.net, has received word from developer Remedy that the decision whether or not to produce a PC version of the game is entirely in the hands of its publisher, Microsoft. "Remedy has a deep heritage in PC gaming and would love to see a PC version available to its PC followers," the statement reads. "Ultimately however this decision lies with our publisher."

Still, Remedy seems to expect Microsoft to eventually free up the game from 360-exclusivity, as it says that, "PC plans are currently open," but "it's safe to say that at least a simultaneous launch with the Xbox version will not happen at this late stage." Perhaps these are the comments on the PC version's outlook Remedy had promised us earlier this month.

Alan Wake PC plans 'up in the air'

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jul 10th 2009 at 10:45AM }

Further doubt has been cast on Alan Wake's timely arrival on PC ... if he ever shows up at all. Following up on a Remedy forum post, which put the mouse and keyboard edition to the back of the line, Edge discovered the PC version is in an even more precarious state than first thought. Sam Lake, lead writer for Alan Wake, told the site that the Xbox 360 version is currently getting all the attention and plans "are up in the air and open." He added, "Once we get this version done we'll see."

When pushed further, Lake repeated that "plans are open" and the company will "evaluate the situation and see what makes sense." Given our wide range of programming expertise, we know that Xbox 360-to-PC (and vice versa) development is only a slightly more evolved form of ctrl-c, ctrl-v, so what's going on with Mr. Wake is a bit of a mystery to us.

Alan Wake may scare up 360 first, PC later

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 7th 2009 at 5:30PM }

Potentially bad news for PC-toting Alan Wake fans, a recent forum post by Remedy's MarkusRMD has left the release window of the PC version dangling in suspense. When asked directly about the development of the PC version of Alan Wake, MarkusRMD responded, "Unfortunately all I can say at this point is that we're focusing all our efforts on the 360 version and will be making comments in regards to the PC at a later in time."

While not an outright confirmation, it certainly sounds like the PC version could release later than the Xbox 360 version, which is currently scheduled to release in spring 2010. We've contacted Microsoft -- the game's publisher -- and will update this post as soon as we hear anything new.

[Via Shacknews]

Lake: 'Remedy is not a factory,' team fortunate to spend time on Alan Wake's debut adventure

by Xav de Matos { Jun 8th 2009 at 11:00PM }

Following our extended look of the Alan Wake demo showcased at Microsoft's E3 2009 keynote, Remedy lead writer Sam Lake took a moment to answer our questions regarding the evolution of the title, since it was first announced in 2005.

"We have been in the fortunate position where we've had time to do research and do prototypes ... keep the quality bar high and explore, until we find the right combination of different elements," Lake said. "Things have evolved along the way. This is an action game, but there is a lot of variety." Lake also explained that Alan Wake will feature segments of gameplay during daytime sequences, which will allow players to explore and interact with the "quirky locals" of Bright Falls. According to Lake, the day and night cycle is governed by the game's linear storyline.

Lake also made it clear his team is no stranger to the perception that Remedy Entertainment had been taking their time bringing Alan Wake's debut adventure to players. "Remedy is not a factory," Lake said. "We take our time and try out different things until we feel have found the right combination and a good balance for the game." Alan Wake is scheduled to release in Spring 2010.

Gallery: Alan Wake

Alan Wake 'levels' structured like episodes of a television series

by Xav de Matos { Jun 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Following our eyes-only demo of Alan Wake, Remedy lead writer Sam Lake explained the game's levels are structured like a television series season. "The story is divided into episodes," Lake told the small group of journalists viewing the extended Microsoft E3 2009 keynote demo. Prior to the beginning of each level the game will showcase a video Lake described as a "Previously On... segment," to remind players of the important story elements from previous episodes and what relates to the next level the player will experience -- which sounds identical to the storytelling mechanic in Atari's Alone in the Dark.

"It's not a level based game," Lake told the group. "We have a large game world, but the story guides you. So, there is a logical pathway for the player." Lake also explained that, while Alan Wake will tell one linear story, the game will feature "a lot of exploration" for players interested in "digging deeper" into the back story of the universe.

Gallery: Alan Wake

Impressions: Alan Wake

by Xav de Matos { Jun 3rd 2009 at 9:00PM }

click to enlarge

Previously on Alan Wake...

Before June 1, Alan Wake had been in hiding at Remedy Studios while development on the Xbox 360 and PC exclusive continued. During Microsoft's keynote, Remedy showcased a portion of the title to eager gamers, but yesterday we were given an opportunity to go behind closed doors and watch the rest of what those viewers did not see. Jump in to find out more detail behind the level showcased at the conference, including a relatively spoiler-free recap of what happened next.

Gallery: Alan Wake

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Open up your eyes for Alan Wake media

by JC Fletcher { Jun 1st 2009 at 5:45PM }

You read about people watching a new Alan Wake trailer. You may have even watched people watch the trailer on video streams. And now, you can watch the trailer, just like you were sitting at Microsoft's E3 keynote! Except it's not followed by several minutes of searching for "Rusty." And also it's probably not on a gigantic screen with an executive standing in front of it. Maybe it is. We haven't been to your house.

If the trailer isn't Wakey enough for you, check out our gallery! And then download this Xbox Live Premium Theme!

Gallery: Alan Wake

Return of Alan Wake news site prompts hint of E3 appearance from Remedy staffer

by JC Fletcher { May 29th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Brightfalls.net, an Alan Wake fan news site officially sanctioned (and hosted) by developer Remedy, has been out of commission for all of 2009. The site has just popped back up, leading one conspiracy-minded Alan Wake forum poster, "shorty," to conjecture that the site is back up in anticipation of some Alan Wake news. Specifically, "that Alan Wake will be shown at E3 on Monday!"

The theories of one guy on a forum may not be enough to base a rumor on, but the following post makes us think something really may be happening. Remedy staffer and forum administrator JoukoRMD responded to that post with "Well, maybe (brightfalls.net site lead) ADM has that feeling too, and thus brought back brightfalls.net," ending with a ;) emoticon. Does that wink signify some secret knowledge? We suppose we'll find out Monday.

[Thanks, Juan Regular!]

Max Payne, Fall of Max Payne available now on Xbox Originals

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 27th 2009 at 11:00AM }

With Max Payne 3 announced, Take-Two's marketing machine better get moving -- we've noirly forgotten the whole seedy epic of insane mobsters and one glorious femme fatale. Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne are both available now on Xbox Live Marketplace for 1200

($15) apiece -- we're sure, this time.

Admittedly, the Xbox price is a bit steep and both games (arguably) play better on PC, so it might be better to wait until Steam has one of its weekend sales to pick up the titles for something like $5 (currently the games are $15 as a bundle on Valve's digital distribution service). But, if Xbox is your only option, feel free to pick up Max, dearest of all our friends.

[Thanks, Disco Ball]

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