“Remedy came out with this video game that truly feels cohesive”: Alan Wake 2 Not Turning Profits is a Dark Omen for the Future of AAA Games That Should Worry Every Gamer
When it first came out, Alan Wake 2 quickly established itself as an instant classic and one of the best games of this console generation. Yet, despite all the acclaim it has received, the game’s journey to profitability continues to remain unbearably slow.
For many fans of Remedy’s games, however, it is simply baffling how a game as well-crafted as this struggles financially. This has now led many to feel concerned about the future of ambitious, story-driven AAA titles and the gaming population’s consumption trend in general.
Alan Wake 2 Low Sales Is a Product of Ignorance and Stiff Decisions
With this game, Remedy created an experience in near-perfect harmony between gameplay, story, atmosphere, and presentation, producing a work of art in gaming with no true equal.
Alan Wake 2 is a rare example of a game I’ve played where every mechanic feels purposeful
byu/CecilyRenns intruegaming
Unlike other AAA titles that cram in trendy mechanics just for the sake of content, every element in the game serves the larger narrative and gameplay experience, which is also why it’s heartbreaking to realize that the game just hasn’t been selling well.
Despite its unreal quality as a video game, sales continue to move at a snail’s pace, breaking even nearly a year since its release, as mentioned in Remedy’s half-early earnings report.
The problem is twofold—from the studio’s and the average player’s end. The decision to release it exclusively on the Epic Games Store limited its audience from the start. Additionally, the lack of a physical release alienated a significant portion of the gaming community that still prefers owning tangible copies of their games.
Perhaps as important, if not more, is the broader gaming audience’s ignorance of more artful, experimental experiences. It’s difficult to determine whether there’s a deeper issue with the way most people consume media these days. Still, one thing is for sure—this lack of commercial success certainly puts the future of such games in jeopardy.
Alan Wake 2 and Remedy Deserve a Lot More Success and Profits
The unfortunate reality of our time is that the AAA side of gaming is dominated by the greed-driven practices of heavy monetization, profit maximization, and the production of half-baked video games. So, when a studio like Remedy releases an artsy, experimental, yet high-quality title, it’s no surprise it struggles to turn a profit.
Granted, few games still manage to shatter this trend, but when most large-budget games these days are focus-tested to be as addictive as possible, with little consideration for creativity and narrative depth, it’s difficult not to feel cynicism creeping in.
Coming back to Alan Wake 2, however, there is still hope that Remedy’s collaboration with Annapurna on an upcoming TV show or film could help boost interest in the game.
Additionally, if the studio can somehow get out of the exclusivity deal and bring the game to Steam, it would open the game up to a massive audience, potentially driving sales further. With a bit of careful planning, a masterpiece like Alan Wake’s second fight against the Dark Presence might yet see the success it truly deserves.
With all that said, what are your thoughts on Alan Wake 2? Do you think this game will soon turn profits? Let us know in the comments below!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
