230°

No Steam And Physical Release, Alan Wake 2 Not Profiting Was Inevitable

Choosing Epic over Steam and antagonizing the entire physical media fanbase, it's no wonder the masterpiece Alan Wake 2 didn't make a profit.

thorstein343d ago (Edited 343d ago )

I asked for this game as a gift. My wife couldn't find it at Gamestop, Amazon, or anywhere else.

I didn't realize it was digital only, I just figured it sold out because of the reviews and how good it looks.

Most consumers don't read gaming news daily, how would they know it's digital only?

Plus, outside of seeing it on Jackfrags YouTube channel, I hadn't seen much in the way of marketing.

Dirtnapstor343d ago

It's a really good game. I platted this one on the PS5. Well worth your time exploring this universe.

Jingsing343d ago

Unfortunately Remedy has become a bit of a nasty studio over this past decade, You just need to look at their business decisions and other projects they attempted. They are not pro consumer at all.

Petebloodyonion343d ago

You know that it's Epic Games that funded and published the game right?

CrimsonWing69343d ago (Edited 343d ago )

Yea, people are kind of dumb. I mean, no offense to @Jingsing up there, I know that’s blunt but it reminds me of Bayonetta 2 when that got announced and it was a Nintendo exclusive. It’s exclusive because f*cking Nintendo funded the development. But people were all like f*ck Sega for sh*tting on their fans when in actuality the game never would’ve gotten made if Nintendo didn’t straight up pay for the development.

Alan Wake 1 was not a massive seller. In fact, correct me if I’m wrong, but it underperformed and that’s why a proper sequel never got made until now where Epic literally paid for the game to be developed… but you got people saying, Remedy isn’t pro consumer because this game is Epic exclusive 🤦‍♂️

anast343d ago

They did this to save money, but it didn't work.

Skuletor343d ago

Will be interesting to see if they try the same thing for the Max Payne remake(s). You'd think they won't but people continue to surprise me.

anast343d ago

I think they could do some kind of special edition physical release. This way the crowd that has been with this game since the beginning would have the option to buy a physical disk. They would sell more too.

Charlieboy333343d ago

@anast No, it needs a normal physical release.....not some bullshit 'special edition' physical release. This way we will be able to easily get a physical copy for if we want, instead of having to mission to own some kind of limited version. That's not actually gonna boost physical sales now is it?

Chocoburger343d ago

I wonder if they've learned their lesson? Who am I kidding, of course no gaming company does at this point. Keep making those mistakes.

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110°

Remedy Talks Going Over Budget on Alan Wake 2

Remedy says there's always a big challenge trying to match creative ambition with realistic budgets, and how many units you can sell.

TheColbertinator32d ago

I wish they had released a Steam version on launch. I feel that should have been part of their focus right away from announcing the game.

LucasRuinedChildhood32d ago

They definitely wanted to but Epic published the game.

REDGUM32d ago

Would have made up alot of ground had they have released a physical version at the same time as the digital release.
I think thats where it bit them in the bum to be honest.

IAMRealHooman32d ago

honest question, have they broken even yet?

senorfartcushion31d ago

Weren't they whining over not breaking even a few weeks ago? No all-of-a-sudden they're talking about overspending on the budget?

70°

Alan Wake 2 Finally Recouped Development Costs 16 Months After Launch

Remedy Entertainment has announced that Alan Wake 2 has finally recouped its development costs and has been profitable since the end of 2024.

Read Full Story >>
tech4gamers.com
REDGUM70d ago

Should have been a physical release as well at launch. That would have changed the numbers. Hopefully they and others learn from this digital is great but so many out there like physical too.

ravens5270d ago

Yup. I'd like to know how many physical copies it sold. I still haven't bought it yet, but I plan to.

jznrpg33d ago (Edited 33d ago )

I bought it right away but I’m sure it recieved less sales than it would have. I the end I’d rather wait to have dlc and game on disc, but you never know if that’s going to happen or not.

140°

Alan Wake 2 Sales Surpass 2 Million Units, Max Payne Remake and Control 2 Progressing Well

Remedy Entertainment reveals that Alan Wake 2 has sold over two million units and begun accruing royalties.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
Jingsing72d ago

Probably would have sold a lot more had it been available physically at launch. I feel like Remedy's greed will eventually close them down.

toxic-inferno72d ago

I'm not sure it's about greed. I am one of the fans who waited until the physical version was released (I've only just played it, as a matter of fact).

Remedy's games are a hard sell in most regards. The nature of the story appeals to a smaller group of people than the average game with it's level of ambition. As a result, and to ensure they can release the game they want to make, they are required to partner with companies that impose restrictions and make decisions like seen in this case.

Remedy is not complaining that it has only just become profitable. They are used to this. I think it has been said that Alan Wake II is the game of theirs that has turned a profit quickest.

Out of all the developers out there, I think they are possibly one of the least greedy. Many other developers would choose to make decisions that increase their financial takings - Remedy seems to make decisions that allow them to release the game they want to release, without sacrificing the vision that they have.

Rainbowcookie48d ago

I agree very Niche games , awesome but pretty niche. I do applaud them to sticking too their vision instead of buckling to the crappy spirit of the age.

Tacoboto71d ago

Remedy's greed, talk about not knowing what you're talking about.

I'm guessing everyone forgot that Epic published and funded this game, and put the terms on its distribution...

RiseNShine72d ago

It took too many wrong decisions like EGS exclusivity and no physical edition.

72d ago
Scissorman72d ago

I'm glad this finally broke 2 million units sold, but Silent Hill 2 hit that goal in far less time and on fewer consoles. Remedy really needs to rethink putting its games on EGS.

Kassanova0772d ago

Good to hear. Next time do a Physical release day 1.

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