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[SonGoku]

The idea that going to Steam was sunshine and roses and the Epic Store was a dark graveyard is hilarious. "If only they considered the OTHER option!"

Why do gamers think they know how to run a company more than people who run successful companies?

Im not making either or argument, just pointing out Epics deal was clearly not enough to break even
Unless im reading these news wrong

 

[solecon64]

After half a decade of brainrot and disgusting propaganda, these past two years have continously proven that every single bad thing happening to a western game studio is actually good. From my part, the people at Remedy can go fuck themselves, each and every one.

I loved the first two Max Payne games enormously, they were a huge part of my childhood. Alan Wake felt like it hit at the perfect time back then.

But seeing Remedy now, going from everything that the Max Payne games represented, to what Sweet Baby represents - it genuinely disgusts me. It's been a year and I can't even watch a review of Alan Wake 2.

Fuck. Them. Hope they never get to create another game ever again.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Exclusivity to any store other than Steam really is the kiss of death huh

 

[Rivdoric]

Release the damn game on Steam with Alan Wake Remastered !

Come on Remedy !

 

[near]

When it finally does break even 50% of the net revenue will belong to Epic. At least Remedy got to make the sequel they wanted, I'll eventually pick up a physical copy on sale.

 

[ReyBrujo]

So they will turn a profit once they release the Switch 2 version, cool.

 

[FireFly]

After half a decade of brainrot and disgusting propaganda, these past two years have continously proven that every single bad thing happening to a western game studio is actually good. From my part, the people at Remedy can go fuck themselves, each and every one.

I loved the first two Max Payne games enormously, they were a huge part of my childhood. Alan Wake felt like it hit at the perfect time back then.

But seeing Remedy now, going from everything that the Max Payne games represented, to what Sweet Baby represents - it genuinely disgusts me. It's been a year and I can't even watch a review of Alan Wake 2.

Fuck. Them. Hope they never get to create another game ever again.

So you've played and finished Alan Wake 2? Or you're judging the game without having played it?

 

[IntentionalPun]

After half a decade of brainrot and disgusting propaganda, these past two years have continously proven that every single bad thing happening to a western game studio is actually good. From my part, the people at Remedy can go fuck themselves, each and every one.

I loved the first two Max Payne games enormously, they were a huge part of my childhood. Alan Wake felt like it hit at the perfect time back then.

But seeing Remedy now, going from everything that the Max Payne games represented, to what Sweet Baby represents - it genuinely disgusts me. It's been a year and I can't even watch a review of Alan Wake 2.

Fuck. Them. Hope they never get to create another game ever again.

Show me on the non-binary doll where Remedy touched you.

 

[solecon64]

So you've played and finished Alan Wake 2? Or you're judging the game without having played it?

I'm sorry for you, if you have to eat shit to realise that it's actual shit. Your life must be a living hell. Honestly hope you live in a clean city

 

[Banjo64]

Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/remedy...opment-and-marketing-expenses-for-alan-wake-2

Alan Wake 2 continues to be a success for Remedy, with the company reporting today it has recouped "most" of the development and marketing cost of Alan Wake 2 as of the end of September.

In its quarterly earnings today, Remedy reported that while the game is not yet generating royalties, it's close to fully recouping costs thanks to continued strong sales.

Continues to be a success by not turning a profit in the 1 year since launch?

 

[FireFly]

I'm sorry for you, if you have to eat shit to realise that it's actual shit. Your life must be a living hell. Honestly hope you live in a clean city

I completed Alan Wake 2 and found the game mechanically flawed but with a lot of redeeming elements and a story that didn't go in the direction I expected, based on what I had read here and in previews/reviews. Are we capable of having a discussion on the merits of a work of art without accusing others of being literal shit eaters? Or is this what forum discourse has devolved into?

 

[solecon64]

Are we capable of having a discussion on the merits of a work of art without accusing others of being literal shit eaters? Or is this what forum discourse has devolved into?

I just posted about how I can't even watch a review of the game, because it genuinely disgusts me. That's been my reaction, ok? Just pure disgust. Ever since I saw their first "gameplay trailer". Just disgust. And I wrote that.

And then you come in and go "but have you acktchuley pLaYeD the game?? " No, dude. Because I find it disgusting. And I wrote that.

What do you want from me? You don't HAVE to have a discussion with me about this game.

 

[kapshin]

I played the first one fairly recently when the sequel was out, the last fourth it I was looking up guides not bc I was stuck but bc I wanted to know when it would be over, it was just good enough for me to finish it. Credits, me "No interest in the sequel."

 

[FireFly]

I just posted about how I can't even watch a review of the game, because it genuinely disgusts me. That's been my reaction, ok? Just pure disgust. Ever since I saw their first "gameplay trailer". Just disgust. And I wrote that.

And then you come in and go "but have you acktchuley pLaYeD the game?? " No, dude. Because I find it disgusting. And I wrote that.

What do you want from me? You don't HAVE to have a discussion with me about this game.

I was curious how you formed your opinion of the game, since it didn't sound like you had played it. But if you were just expressing a visceral reaction to the trailer footage, then ok.

 

[Umbral]

It will get there. It is well made but it is not a game for everyone and is definitely not for you if you seek combat.

I mostly agree with you here. Image Quality was not up to snuff but they were certainly trying some things I found interesting.

What's to celebrate in good work going under-rewarded?

I would not call this game good work. They’re being rewarded exactly as much as they should be. Some might argue they’re being rewarded more than they should be.

It's funny because I've loved every game they've put out but I'm hesitant to get Alan Wake 2 because of some of the feedback it's gotten. The MP game looks horrible to me. Alan Wake 2 does look genuinely good though. It was going to be my first Ps5 Pro game but I've been really wanting to replay TLOU 2 again and I stopped because the pro was coming out with enhancements. Still not sure what I'm going to do.

It’s going to come down to what you’re looking for in a game. The Alan sections were the best part and I didn’t like them almost at all. That tells you all you need to know about Saga’s parts.

Alan Wake 2 was great. It will be harder to greenlight projects like this if they barely break even.

I’m sorry, but it was not great. You could call it ambitious or risky but you can’t say it was great with a straight face. Subjectivity or not. It was a poor game that wanted so bad to be a movie.

So you've played and finished Alan Wake 2? Or you're judging the game without having played it?

You could buy him a copy. Expecting someone to dump their own money, non-refundable, on the possibility of liking something they clearly seem to dislike is unreasonable.

 

[CLW]

Insert gif from Saved By The Bell “at least I came in second”

I swear the IDIOTS running gaming studios can’t comprehend why their studios keep getting shutdown by “almost” turning a marginal profit

 

[poppabk]

Insert gif from Saved By The Bell “at least I came in second”

I swear the IDIOTS running gaming studios can’t comprehend why their studios keep getting shutdown by “almost” turning a marginal profit

Remedy isn't getting shutdown though, because they don't have to turn a profit as they already broke even when they signed the deal. They just need to do well enough to sign another deal.

 

[diffusionx]

It’s not a success if it is still in the red after a year. Come on. Even if it some day makes that money back it’s still a less than zero ROI because of TVM.

 

[Dazraell]

Im not making either or argument, just pointing out Epics deal was clearly not enough to break even
Unless im reading these news wrong

It's not exactly like that. Epic didn't paid for PC exclusivity, but funded the entire development of this game from its early stages. I don't like their exclusivity bullshit either, but in this case Alan Wake II wouldn't happen at all if they wouldn't partnered with Remedy. They're also their official publisher on all platforms, even consoles. Doesn't make it less stupid though as Steam would definitely make them recouping these costs faster

 

[SonGoku]

It's not exactly like that. Epic didn't paid for PC exclusivity, but funded the entire development of this game from its early stages. I don't like their exclusivity bullshit either, but in this case Alan Wake II wouldn't happen at all if they wouldn't partnered with Remedy. They're also their official publisher on all platforms, even consoles. Doesn't make it less stupid though as Steam would definitely make them recouping these costs faster

I see so AW2 was basically advertisement for the Epic store, it was an investment to increase its market share

 

[kiphalfton]

how is it a success if you still haven't made money out of it after one year?

sales must be trickling and discounted by now

They're using that Intel math.

 

[Kamina]

 

[FireFly]

You could buy him a copy. Expecting someone to dump their own money, non-refundable, on the possibility of liking something they clearly seem to dislike is unreasonable.

I wasn't expecting him to buy a copy. I was expecting him to defend his position.

I have bought games for people on forums in the past, so I wouldn't be against it, if it lead to some kind of meaningful discussion.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Release the damn game on Steam with Alan Wake Remastered !

Come on Remedy !

Remedy owns the AW IP, but they'll need to buy the publishing rights back from Epic for that to happen, and I'm not sure how feasible that is (on the short term) considering the news in the OP.

 

[coachmcguirk91]

It’s not a success if it is still in the red after a year. Come on. Even if it some day makes that money back it’s still a less than zero ROI because of TVM.

There are very few AAA immersive atmospheric horror games nowadays, especially as good as AW2. It will continue to sell well for years to come because of that. And if Remedy ever decides to develop an AW3, it will have a much larger install base than AW2 had. And sales of AW2 would skyrocket leading up to release of AW3

Not to mention, if a television/movie ever made good use of the Control/AW IP then it would be 100% worth the investment of developing AW2

 

[mdkirby]

Business wise it's lousy.

But even ignoring that and just considering gaming, it's not working either. Sam would get a lot more gamers enjoying his games if he expanded his wings a bit. AW1 wasnt a big seller to begin with. About 3-4M copies over a decade, including bargain binning and pack in bundles with Xbox 360.

His vision will collapse entirely one day if no big companies partner up with him to fund their games because it seems over 25 years of making games, Remedy hasnt saved enough money to make one game on their own.

I’m not sure he cares, there’s a universe he is happy building, and a story he wants to tell. It’s his story and he’s diligently sticking to it, and has happily trucked along doing so for a long time now, making modest long tail returns, that sustain his creative vision. Then not too many years from now, he will be able to to retire with his artistic integrity intact, having made lots of things he cared about.

Yes, it’s not “great business”, but from a creative/story teller perspective it should be an approach that is valued and respected. We like to scream into the void on here all the time about big money corpo ruining games, and here we have an exact opposite, and we’re still not happy .

 

[Pandawan]

This news basically says: Alan Wake 2 was a failure and we are still on track to get our money back, recouped most of the money we invested but still not all of it (a year after release).

I hope they realize now that boring walking simulators infected with the DEI virus can't be carried by the incredible art style and intricate story.

 

[FireFly]

This news basically says: Alan Wake 2 was a failure and we are still on track to get our money back, recouped most of the money we invested but still not all of it (a year after release).

I hope they realize now that boring walking simulators infected with the DEI virus can't be carried by the incredible art style and intricate story.

Epic invested the money, not Remedy, and Remedy would have known they were leaving a lot of sales on the table by forgoing Steam.

 

[diffusionx]

There are very few AAA immersive atmospheric horror games nowadays, especially as good as AW2. It will continue to sell well for years to come because of that. And if Remedy ever decides to develop an AW3, it will have a much larger install base than AW2 had. And sales of AW2 would skyrocket leading up to release of AW3

Not to mention, if a television/movie ever made good use of the Control/AW IP then it would be 100% worth the investment of developing AW2

You can’t really have a long tail without a strong start. The game is a failure and even future sales, you need to factor in TVM. I actually don’t even know why they are trying to pretend it’s successful.

And there’s no reason to think that sales would “skyrocket” if there is an AW3 or TV show, there is clearly less interest in this franchise than they thought there was and another one is unlikely to change this.

 

[RJMacready73]

Do people not realise that with Epic funding the game it got to cover the overheads of all those Devs over the course of making it and share the risk, yeah it wasn't a massive success sales wise but Alan Wake ain't exactly a massive franchise so if the game keeps ticking over and selling through it's all profit from here on out, I don't see an issue especially considering the type of games remedy release, as long as they're able to keep the doors open and pay the bills it's all good

Edit, just went and checked the PS store as I loved the first one, replayed the remaster and have been waiting for a price drop but the game is still £50, which is outa my impulse range considering my backlog and timetoplay

 

[near]

Do people not realise that with Epic funding the game it got to cover the overheads of all those Devs over the course of making it and share the risk, yeah it wasn't a massive success sales wise but Alan Wake ain't exactly a massive franchise so if the game keeps ticking over and selling through it's all profit from here on out, I don't see an issue especially considering the type of games remedy release, as long as they're able to keep the doors open and pay the bills it's all good

Edit, just went and checked the PS store as I loved the first one, replayed the remaster and have been waiting for a price drop but the game is still £50, which is outa my impulse range considering my backlog and timetoplay

It's a win-win scenario so far as Remedy are concerned regarding the development of AW2. They added to the portfolio, the cost of its development was covered, and profits will be equally shared between Epic and them. Though, for a studio that's barely able to sell there game with the backing of a major company like Epic, it is worrying that they're actively pushing to self publish. It seems they're only able to survive at the moment because they've been strategic with their partners.

 

[Mhmmm 2077]

They asked for this. Pathetic.

 

[coachmcguirk91]

You can’t really have a long tail without a strong start. The game is a failure and even future sales, you need to factor in TVM. I actually don’t even know why they are trying to pretend it’s successful.

And there’s no reason to think that sales would “skyrocket” if there is an AW3 or TV show, there is clearly less interest in this franchise than they thought there was and another one is unlikely to change this.

Well, Remedy is making a Control 2, which is the exact same universe as Alan Wake. So Remedy is clearly doubling down. The biggest reason why Alan Wake 2 didn't sell well was its lackluster combat. There is no reason for them not to have success in the future if they improve in that one area. And the Max Payne 1+2 remakes will hopefully be proof of that

 

[HeWhoWalks]

They have a different view of what 'sucess' means...

So does success.

 

[diffusionx]

Well, Remedy is making a Control 2, which is the exact same universe as Alan Wake. So Remedy is clearly doubling down. The biggest reason why Alan Wake 2 didn't sell well was its lackluster combat. There is no reason for them not to have success in the future if they improve in that one area. And the Max Payne 1+2 remakes will hopefully be proof of that

I am pretty sure that Control did far better money wise.

As for why the game didn’t sell, I don’t know.

 

[BlitzerRadic]

Remedy isn't getting shutdown though, because they don't have to turn a profit as they already broke even when they signed the deal. They just need to do well enough to sign another deal.

I dont think "breaking even" is the correct descriptor here either. Seems like they were contracted to make a game by Epic and they get a royalty because it uses their Alan Wake IP.

 

[poppabk]

I dont think "breaking even" is the correct descriptor here either. Seems like they were contracted to make a game by Epic and they get a royalty because it uses their Alan Wake IP.

It's kinda like a work for hire, but the rights are only temporarily held by Epic. I was just trying to point out that it is much lower risk than a dev self financing and then needing sales to make back what is owed where a failure means that you are left in debt.

 

[Umbral]

Well, Remedy is making a Control 2, which is the exact same universe as Alan Wake. So Remedy is clearly doubling down. The biggest reason why Alan Wake 2 didn't sell well was its lackluster combat. There is no reason for them not to have success in the future if they improve in that one area. And the Max Payne 1+2 remakes will hopefully be proof of that

Control 2 will sell better because it’s a better game. I wanted Alan Wake 2 to be good, but they missed the mark.

 

[onnextflix5]

liked the first one better, the combat and shooting mechanics are just not as good,

 

[Kenpachii]

So it basically bombed. Didn't even recoup the game cost, let alone pays for another game.

 

[Davey Cakes]

Exclusivity to any store other than Steam really is the kiss of death huh

That and not having a physical version day 1.