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[Confidence Man]

I say that, but I already know the answer is going to be something like "BLAH BLAH BLAH THEY SAID THIS GAME WAS GOING TO BE OPEN-WORLD OR SOMETHING SIX YEARS AGO BEFORE THE GAME DISAPPEARED FOR A LONG TIME AND STOPPED BEING THAT GAME IN 2007."

Well, yes, that's exactly it. The game's scope, the world, the visuals, and likely the pacing of exploration and combat, all compromised by being turned into a linear console-oriented experience.

Half-assed probably isn't the right term for it, but I doubt many PC gamers would even care about a port at this point.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

It would be a shame if it didn"t get a sequel because with Halo, Forza and Gears having a few titles under their belt now it would be nice to have a new exclusive IP given the focus and support to give thje Xbox brand a continuing sense of first party support.

Plus it was a damn good game.

 

[Elios83]

I'm sorry for Remedy because they make good games but in all their recent statements it's easy to read that they fear Microsoft will dump them because of disappoining sales.
And of course it will be hard for Microsoft to justify further investements in the series.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Ensemble

Not condoning the closure, but didn't they have huge management issues, never made deadlines etc?

 

[Mr_Zombie]

The size of our team and how long it would take us to develop the PC version.

So what happened to the PC version that was still there few months before it was officially canned? The one that was used to create all those Alan Wake trailers?

 

[FLEABttn]

Half-assed probably isn't the right term for it, but I doubt many PC gamers would even care about a port at this point.

I would, as I still want to play it. Not sure if it would sell well though because I think the inertia behind any MS published PC games has significantly slowed down consumer side. It's hard for people to get excited for PC releases from a company that makes it as obvious as possible that they don't care.

MS needs to stop trying to build their console empire by trying to blackmail PC gamers into buying a 360. It's obviously not working and all they're doing is punishing themselves and the stockholders over it.

 

[Visualante]

I don't think money is the issue, it's just that the gaming business is not that big in Finland so there's not much talent to choose from.

To my understanding they like being small, they have a small group of talented friends.

I would, as I still want to play it. Not sure if it would sell well though because I think the inertia behind any MS published PC games has significantly slowed down consumer side. It's hard for people to get excited for PC releases from a company that makes it as obvious as possible that they don't care.

Yeah, I'd want some assurance that the PC is going to get the full DLC experience, in light of Capcom's RE5 and others.

 

[FLEABttn]

Yeah, I'd want some assurance that the PC is going to get the full DLC experience, in light of Capcom's RE5 and others.

No shit. I sold off my 360 version for the PC version, and then Capcom says "oh, no Gold version for you".

No more sales for you, then.

 

[I AM JOHN!]

Well, yes, that's exactly it. The game's scope, the world, the visuals, and likely the pacing of exploration and combat, all compromised by being turned into a linear console-oriented experience.

Half-assed probably isn't the right term for it, but I doubt many PC gamers would even care about a port at this point.

Or maybe it had nothing to do with it being for console and that kind of game did not service the story that Sam Lake was trying to tell. Or maybe the open-world part was empty and had nothing to it to the point that removing it made the game flow better. There's millions of possible reasons why they changed the game, and assuming it was for the worst and clinging to a vague idea that (barely) existed in 2005 is just beyond petty when the game they gave us is pretty great.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I was excited about this game when it was going to come out for the PC. I lost interest when Microsoft forced it to become a Xbox 360 exclusive. I will buy it if it comes out for the PC. Otherwise, I will probably never play it unless I can find it for like $5 used.

 

[water_wendi]

Or maybe it had nothing to do with it being for console and that kind of game did not service the story that Sam Lake was trying to tell. Or maybe the open-world part was empty and had nothing to it to the point that removing it made the game flow better. There's millions of possible reasons why they changed the game, and assuming it was for the worst and clinging to a vague idea that (barely) existed in 2005 is just beyond petty when the game they gave us is pretty great.

i understand what you are saying but i happen to think the game was "stream-lined" because it went console exclusive. And as to "clinging to a vague idea".. perhaps people wanted what they were selling before and not so much what it ended up being. This is nothing new and certainly isnt some singling out of Alan Wake. Before Fable released it sounded like it was going to be a pretty decent rpg with an environment that responded. The reality wasnt what the developer was talking about and instead my sole impression of Fable are fart jokes, so i passed on it.

And i know its spiteful and not fair to Remedy since the deal they made with Microsoft was long before MS totally abandoned PC gaming.. but i really doubt id purchase Alan Wake even if it ever made it to PC, DLC and all. Lots of bitterness there.

 

[Danielsan]

I hope they start working on a different IP.
Originally I thought Alan Wake would be my favourite game of the generation. How wrong I was. Honestly, as much as I enjoyed the game it didn't even come near to delivering on its original potential. It doesn't really help that Alan Wake is tremendous douche and that the story is convoluted beyond belief.

 

[Katana_Strikes]

I've just heard a week ago that we re-entered the UK charts as well, which is interesting. It seems like a title people who have enjoyed the fiction, have played it through, they talk to their fellow gamers and say, 'Listen, have you played Alan Wake? Go check it out.'

No, it was because the price got slashed and went under £20. But it's nice to dream

The game wasn't even advertised here in the UK on TV, MS chosing to go a web only route... something that hurt the games potential as you were selling to the converted. Yet it could have gone on to being a suprise hit like Heavy Rain. Well at least for a week before RDR hit anyways.

 

[water_wendi]

No, it was because the price got slashed and went under £20. But it's nice to dream

:lol

 

[Sanic]

Alan Wake was a game I was hoping to enjoy but that ended up not being the case. The core mechanics were...alright, but I was doing nearly the exact some thing the entire game. Spend 10 minutes talking to some people, spend 50 minutes blinding some bad guys and shooting them. Rinse/repeat for 6-8 hours. I hated playing it about 3 hours in. Hopefully they improve some things if they get another go around.

 

[hamchan]

Sounds like a promising future for Alan Wake, whether Microsoft are into it or not.

I enjoyed the fact that Alan was actually written to be a bit of a dick. Comparing him to Nathan Drake was a good example; after playing both Uncharted games back to back, Alan's character was quite refreshing.

See I think they're wrong about that. I don't think Nathan Drake is mr nice guy at all. I think Naughty Dog also wrote their main character to be a bit of a dick.

 

[rollingstart]

Alan Wake was a game I was hoping to enjoy but that ended up not being the case. The core mechanics were...alright, but I was doing nearly the exact some thing the entire game. Spend 10 minutes talking to some people, spend 50 minutes blinding some bad guys and shooting them. Rinse/repeat for 6-8 hours. I hated playing it about 3 hours in. Hopefully they improve some things if they get another go around.

yeah, that's why the DLC was such a surprise for me. In the brief but long (for dlc standards) time it lasted, there was more variety and far better pacing than the main game on the dvd.

If Alan Wake was that DLC for 10 hours instead of a dull slog, it would be one of my favorite games this year. But I will admit that it depends on how you play games (or consume media in general). The monotony has more of an impact if you play it in large chunks or frequently. I have heard people saying that if you played it an episode a day it holds up better. Either way, the DLC was really great. Honestly, I'm glad the dlc was free because otherwise I wouldn't have checked it out. Now I'm down for getting the next pack day one.

 

[WEGGLES]

I really hope MS gives the go for the sequel. Few gameplay tweaks could really lift the series to a new level.

Yes.

I enjoyed the story and atmosphere, but found the combat easy yet frustrating at the same time. And once you're 2 hours in you've done everything combat wise anyways so that's kinda iffy.

I never knew how poorly it sold though. Kind-of a bummer, we need more excellent single player games.

 

[scitek]

I like the part where the author included, "please don't put that Alan Wake 2 is coming out on the PC" like it was supposed to be on the record. :lol Still, you can clearly see the headache quelling rumors like that must cause developers.

 

[Earl Cazone]

now that i sold my 360, i wish they outsource the game to some company for pc,. while working on a second game themselves

 

[Mr_Zombie]

I like the part where the author included, "please don't put that Alan Wake 2 is coming out on the PC" like it was supposed to be on the record. :lol

Well, in gaming news every word said by developer or even a PR guy, every rumour or a leak is "fact", so I understand why he said that. Otherwise we would probably see headers saying that "Alan Wake 2 is coming to X360 and PC!" everywhere.

 

[dark_inferno]

Waiting YEARS for the PC game and then... its a xbox exclusive. That is how you treat your Fans Remedy?

Alan Wake 2 : Not before Starcraft 3.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

Jesus christ at the bitter outlashing. Alan Wake is a damn fine game and while it may be disappointing the business decision was made not to release it on pc, the developers at Remedy did not personally poison your family pet.

 

[Dachande]

i understand what you are saying but i happen to think the game was "stream-lined" because it went console exclusive.

It wasn't. Several Remedy developers, including one I've spoken to personally, have said that it was changed from being an open-world game because the team wasn't big enough to create a full-open world game with the detail they wanted in the time requires, and because the couldn't get have the emphasis on story they wanted if the player was able to fuck it up in any number of ways an open-world game provides.

I just went back and looked what was said, and the exact quote the team used among themselves was "it's pretty hard to make the player care about a tender love scene if they show up to it in a monster truck."

Lots of the technology from when it was open-world still exists in the game anyway. The vehicle handling for example, and the fact that it is a single, seamless world. Parts in the game where you see locations you were at earlier are actually the same locations. It's not like console couldn't handle it.


Also, just to add to the support train: Alan Wake was great and the combat was mega-fun. Haters gonna hate just because they're bitter.

 

[Phife Dawg]

Came for possible news of a PC port, stayed for the funny:

I've just heard a week ago that we re-entered the UK charts as well, which is interesting. It seems like a title people who have enjoyed the fiction, have played it through, they talk to their fellow gamers and say, 'Listen, have you played Alan Wake? Go check it out.'

:lol

No, it was because the price got slashed and went under £20. But it's nice to dream

Yeah, I think it even was below 15 at one time.

 

[Littleberu]

Not condoning the closure, but didn't they have huge management issues, never made deadlines etc?

Try not to be reasonable. Gamers are industry insiders and know how the industry really works, remember?

Jesus christ at the bitter outlashing. Alan Wake is a damn fine game and while it may be disappointing the business decision was made not to release it on pc, the developers at Remedy did not personally poison your family pet.

I don't know why PC gamer are so full of anger. They already claim left and right that they have a superior platform, but never fail to bitch and moan when they don't get a port of Game A or Game B. Well, some of them bitch and moan, which I guess is the loud minority.

 

[SturokBGD]

Alan Wake should have been a downloadable, episodic game first and a full retail release in the fall when all the episodes had come out.

That would have been awesome. I'd be fully behind the idea of Alan Wake being released in episodic seasons, Telltale-stylee. Like a Steven King miniseries or Twin Peaks or something. The game's already built like that.

 

[Neuromancer]

I wanted to like this game, and I did like parts of it, or aspects of it. But I don't think I'd be much interested in a sequel. I can't even put my finger on exactly why that is. I think at the end of the day I didn't care much for the characters or the story, and the gameplay wasn't enough to make up for that.

 

[FLEABttn]

They already claim left and right that they have a superior platform, but never fail to bitch and moan when they don't get a port of Game A or Game B.

The first half of this statement doesn't contradict the second. You can have "the best" platform, and still rationally desire the exclusives to other platforms. Especially exclusives that were touted as coming to PC until months before release.

 

[Dyno]

When it comes to playing Alan Wake I feel very lucky because the controls felt tight, responsive, and above all fun! People were complaining about Alan's running all the time but you don't need to run much anyway, just move a few steps for a better position and start popping away again.

When combat is fun and satisfying it doesn't get repetative, at least not for me. As well, every episode had you move through a number of interesting environments. You didn't know where you would end up and some of the transitions were fairly quick too so the pacing was great.

Will happily hold on to this game. There's nothing else this gen quite like it. I hope there is more than the two announced DLC.

 

[Prine]

YES YES! Sequel is probably in production.

Alan Wake, ME2 and Heavy Rain are my picks for GOTY so far.

 

[[Nintex]]

Not condoning the closure, but didn't they have huge management issues, never made deadlines etc?

Isn't wasn't that the problem with every first party Microsoft studio(Rare(deadlines?:lol), Ensemble, Fasa etc.) seems to me like MS is the problem when Rare's Perfect Dark Zero team sets out to work on a turtle sliding game with a penis controller for 3(?) years.

 

[brain_stew]

Any half assed PC port they crapped out would be better than the 360 version, so basically its not happening. We know the engine is already up and running on the PC.

It's all about the portfolio. Just because Halo and Gears sell, it wouldn't do MS any good to just keep releasing Halo and Gears games, even if other titles sold relatively poorly. It's the same reason Nintendo commissioned a new Sin & Punishment game, even though that's nicher-than-niche.

Have you looked at Microsoft's upcoming portfolio lately. Halo and Gears is literally all they're publishing at this point apart from Kinnect shovelware and some small XBLA titles. Oh, there's another Fable game as well, wow!

 

[water_wendi]

I don't know why PC gamer are so full of anger. They already claim left and right that they have a superior platform, but never fail to bitch and moan when they don't get a port of Game A or Game B. Well, some of them bitch and moan, which I guess is the loud minority.

The reason the cancellation of Alan Wake PC is infuriating is that the cancellation was announced in Feb 2010, mere months before the game was released (May 2010).

If the PC version was canceled 3 years ago there wouldnt be as much of a stink as there is but when you whip an audience up thats been tagging along for years and then just stop and then blame that shit on COMFY COUCH, dont be surprised that people tell them to fuck themselves.

 

[WaltJay]

I hope Remedy puts out a sequel or additional DLC beyond "The Writer", but considering how long it took for the first DLC to come out and overall sales of the game, I'm not holding my breath.

Alan Wake would be a perfect candidate for an episodic game delivered digitally (and retail in "season" form), but it doesn't seem like Remedy would be able to put out content fast enough. Maybe they could borrow some guys from Telltale Games!

 

[ampere]

The US 360 Charts? (For Microsoft Exclusives.)

:lol

he didn't say WHICH charts

the game does begin with A

Oh boy :lol

Definitely not a game I would expect to have mainstream appeal. Maybe if you could get Steven King fans to start playing video games..

 

[fernoca]

It wasn't. Several Remedy developers, including one I've spoken to personally, have said that it was changed from being an open-world game because the team wasn't big enough to create a full-open world game with the detail they wanted in the time requires, and because the couldn't get have the emphasis on story they wanted if the player was able to fuck it up in any number of ways an open-world game provides.

I just went back and looked what was said, and the exact quote the team used among themselves was "it's pretty hard to make the player care about a tender love scene if they show up to it in a monster truck."

Lots of the technology from when it was open-world still exists in the game anyway. The vehicle handling for example, and the fact that it is a single, seamless world. Parts in the game where you see locations you were at earlier are actually the same locations. It's not like console couldn't handle it.


Also, just to add to the support train: Alan Wake was great and the combat was mega-fun. Haters gonna hate just because they're bitter.

Quoting this because is what I wanted to say. :lol


As far as sales, he is right.
The game was at the "top of the charts" as in "was in the overall top 10" (i.e. #8); so technically he wasn't lying. Since it wasn't like the game debuted at #30 or something.

 

[Mr_Zombie]

"We were top of the US charts for a while."

err, no

Well, yes, they were. At least according to Chart-Track, week 19 2010:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395630

It was only a week though. Next week Alan was at the 5rd place and then 12th.

 

[water_wendi]

Well, yes, they were. At least according to Chart-Track, week 19 2010:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395630

It was only a week though. Next week Alan was at the 5rd place and then 12th.

Isnt that thread PAL charts?

 

[ampere]

Well, yes, they were. At least according to Chart-Track, week 19 2010:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395630

It was only a week though. Next week Alan was at the 5rd place and then 12th.

A.) You linked to a PAL charts thread, the statement was referring to US charts.

B.) Is being at the top for one week 'a while' in your book?

 

[Mr_Zombie]

Stupid me. Häkkinen was talking about being both of the US and UK charts for a while, so I misread Stumpokapow post.

 

[Salsa]

Im calling the sequel having a PC version. They´re going the Dead Rising route.

 

[theultimo]

Eurogamer

PC version

Considering they had parity with the 360 version until very close to release, I don't believe this. It was developed for PC for the majority of the time!