However it released during a ”very competitive” month with some ”extremely aggressive” marketing campaigns for other games ”hard to match.”
Between its US retail date of May 18th and May 29th, the NPD notes that Alan Wake sold 145k units. Doubt was cast of the franchises future but Remedy is deeply committed to their brand new IP. It ”certainly seems to ‘have legs” says the studio.
”Overall we have been very pleased with the reception of Alan Wake with both the press and the fans alike, people compliment the story first and foremost, but love the characters, the combat and of course the setting also,” said Oskari Häkkinen of Remedy.
”There is no doubt that Alan Wake hit the shelves during a very competitive launch window, with some games dominating with extremely aggressive marketing spends that were hard to match.” Microsoft and Remedy used short live-action webisodes to help promote the action thriller Alan Wake, opting for a more viral approach.
”However, we’ve always tried to stay unique and do something new and different in video games. This breath of fresh air for gamers seems to now be working in our advantage as those that have already enjoyed Wake are clearly inspired to talk more about the game, and tell their fellow gamers to try it also, the word of mouth phenomenon is very apparent with Alan Wake.”
”There has been a growing interest in the title and it certainly seems to “have legs” to sustain,” he added. ”The Bright falls webisodes are a great way to get a taste of the stylization, an introduction to some of the characters and the fiction.”
”Even non gamers have enjoyed them and I highly recommend those that haven’t spent the 30 minutes watching the six 5 minute episodes to dive into them, we were really pleased with this marketing approach and it supports the ideology that Alan Wake is not a come and go title, rather something that grows in interest through experience.”
We took a stroll into Bright Falls and stamped it 8.8/10 thanks to its ”clever story, great voice work and presentation”, making it ”well worth the wait.” Have you picked up a copy of Alan Wake the action thriller yet, videogamer?
Source: Shacknews
