PC Gamers Saved ALAN WAKE FRANCHISE

PC Gamers Saved The Alan Wake Franchise

Alan Wake has been a successful adventure for Remedy and PC gamers; in just 48 hours the Finnish developer managed to recoup marketing and development costs, debuted at number one on the Steam charts, and has captivated the long forgotten PC audience. Not bad for a game that launched two years prior as an Xbox 360 exclusive.

If we take a look at the sales figures alone, it's easy to understand that the PC audience has saved the Alan Wake franchise, giving it enough legs to warrant a full blown sequel. I wrote an article back in March discussing what the PC sales meant for Xbox exclusives in general, but with today's announcement that the spin-off title, Alan Wake's American Nightmare was also coming to PC, I thought it would a good opportunity to have a good look at the sales figures for both platforms.

The original Alan Wake launched in 2010 as an Xbox 360 exclusive, and enjoyed generally positive reviews from media outlets (Metacritic rates it at 83.65%). Despite a decent marketing push from Remedy and Microsoft, the game suffered dismal sales at launch, managing to shift only 145,000 units in its first two weeks. This could be largely attributed to the fact that is launched alongside the extremely popular Red Dead Redemption, which went on to sell over 10 million copies and win several Game of the Year awards. Let's not forget that Alan Wake became 2010's most pirated game, with 1.1 million downloads coming from the seedy underbelly of the internet, and it still remains as the second most pirated 360 game of all time.

Regardless of launch issues and piracy, the title has managed to shift 1.4 million since launch, which isn't exactly outstanding. Considering a large number of those units would be free download tokens included with Xbox 360 consoles during a Christmas promotion held by Microsoft, it seems that the 360 version of the game was a complete failure when it comes to sales.

Then along comes the PC port two years later, which managed to sell like proverbial hotcakes on a Sunday morning. Despite managing to recoup all marketing and development costs in just 48 hours, less than a month after launch the PC version had sold approximately 600,000 to bump the franchise up to 2 million sales across both platforms.

Considering a lengthy development period of five years, the cost of developing the Xbox 360 version would have been exorbitant. Those 1.4 million sales would have been lucky to break even, no matter how much Microsoft Game Studios subsidised the development process. Yet in just two days, Alan Wake became profitable for the developers on the PC platform. That's definitely something worth taking note of.

At the end of February this year, Remedy released an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive adventure called Alan Wake's American Nightmare. More of an arcade affair with the story-telling prowess that Alan Wake fans deserve, this downloadable title seemed like a testing ground for Remedy to determine whether a full-blown sequel was financially viable.

According to XBLA sales figures published by Gamasutra, American Nightmare has sold approximately 55,039 copies between February 28 and April 1st. Granted there is almost a month of data missing now we are in May, but surely the sales haven't increased dramatically since.

So considering the original title sold approximately 1.4 million on the Xbox 360, the adoption rate of this stand-alone title is a mere 3.93%. Considering the recently released Trials: Evolution managed to ship 100,000 units during its first 24 hours, some could consider Alan Wake's American Nightmare a mediocre performer once again from a sales standpoint.

With the announcement that PC gamers will also get their chance to jump head first into the twisted world of American Nightmare in less than two weeks, it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. While Xbox 360 gamers had to wait two years for another taste of Alan Wake, PC aficionados have only had to wait two months. The character, setting and world are still fresh in our minds, and many engrossed players are probably just finishing up their sessions with the original release, feeling hungry for more right away. A low price point, matched with some discounts on both titles in celebration is sure to up the sales figures almost immediately, and make this another profitable venture for Remedy in the PC market.

Alan Wake may have visited the Xbox 360 first, but he found a home on the PC. It is through his new home that Remedy can sleep easy at night, knowing that someone out there is willing to vote with their wallet for more adventures and stories from our favourite novelist.

http://pc.mmgn.com/Articles/PC-Gamers-Saved-The-Alan-Wake-Franchise

"But but but PC GAMERS IS ALL TEH PIRATES!" ;)

This is not the first time that PC gaming or Steam has saved a company or series

I did my part by not buying it.

No need for applause

That's ace. I always wanted a sequel.

But I'd say that going against RDR was pretty much suicide. If you released AW against Diablo 3 ho boy.

But great news

Give the hermits each a cookie that bought it instead of stealing it.

Give the hermits each a cookie that bought it instead of stealing it.

Bigboi500

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCxQOil2NLY

Give the hermits each a cookie that bought it instead of stealing it.

Bigboi500

*laughs hard*

so lets get this straight a game that wasn't really that good in the first place *as shown by its sales, and the fact I picked the downloadable version up for a dollar off amazon maketplace* recoups its costs because it released on a drm service at a very cheap price, with no real money spent developing it for the pc since that had already been done with the 360 and no real marketing cause that was handled by steam it self or the fact the 360 version was its marketing and I'm supposed to be impressed by this?

lol If this had released by it self no steam it would have bombed or atleast been pirated more than purchased, But it was released on steam something hermits forget is that steam is basically drm in and of it self.

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

The game never interested me, but good for Remedy. :)

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

WilliamRLBaker

What are you ding TC? This will shatter consolites image of "pc gaming is dying" we cant let that happen now!@?

What are you ding TC? This will shatter consolites image of "pc gaming is dying" we cant let that happen now!@?

Bikouchu35

I've bought the game on both 360 and on PC, finished it multiple times on both. It's one of my favourite games this gen.

Can't wait to buy AN on PC, I knew it was coming so I waited and didn't buy it on my 360.

Thanks PC gamers!

I really hope Alan Wake 2 releases on PC & 360/720 on the same day and the way to do that is by not going further with Microsoft, they wanted the game to remain exlusive on 360 while remedy wanted to port it to PC. IF they do that they could bring the game to PS3/PS4 as well so more people get to enjoy this great game.

so lets get this straight a game that wasn't really that good in the first place

WilliamRLBaker

Yeah only good games sell right ?

Like star wars kinect

Oh, and the only other person who will try to spin this negatively is ... well you know him.

I wasted $$$ buying this boring game on the 360. Pretty graphics enjoy those w/o a 360 (YAWN).

roulettethedog

lol If this had released by it self no steam it would have bombed or atleast been pirated more than purchased.

WilliamRLBaker

I love how you always act like console gamers dont pirate,I know 8 people in real life with modded 360's...i'm sure you'll reply with "herp derp it's not as bad".That may be so ...but thats only because "it's alot harder to do" and not because they're somehow more honest and noble people. :roll:

If playing pirated console games was as easy as PC,It would actually be worse and that's a fact.Besides,I'm sure atleast once in your life you (and all of the other honest paying console gamers) have d/led music illegally from places like limewire...how is this different exactly? So drop the *holier than thou* act douchebag

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

lol If this had released by it self no steam it would have bombed or atleast been pirated more than purchased.

Kandlegoat

I love how you always act like console gamers dont pirate,I know 8 people in real life with modded 360's...i'm sure you'll reply with "herp derp it's not as bad".That may be so ...but thats only because "it's alot harder to do" and not because they're somehow more honest and noble people. :roll:

If playing pirated console games was as easy as PC,It would actually be worse and that's a fact.Besides,I'm sure atleast once in your life you (and all of the other honest paying console gamers) have d/led music illegally from places like limewire...how is this different exactly? So drop the *holier than thou* act douchebag

To be fair aside from piracy, willy has few other ways to bash the PC. He just pretends to himself that piracy doesn't exist on consoles.

anyone want a bet that next AW game will come to pc first and then to 360?adamosmaki

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

tenaka2

This pic would've also been appropriate considering how it's more faithful:

*yawn* That game was awful, should have let it die. And did this include cost after the 360 sales?DarkOfKnight

That was the problem, it looked good but was boring. Can't these pirates save a good series? DarkOfKnight

Wanna bet nobody will care?DarkOfKnight

I think we get it now DarkOfKnight...

Not everyone had the same thoughts about the game as you did though, weird isn't it ?

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

tenaka2

Once I scrolled down far enough to see the beard at the bottom, I laughed out loud.

I might buy the game when its on steam sale.

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

iamrob7

Once I scrolled down far enough to see the beard at the bottom, I laughed out loud.

I still laugh everytime its posted.

It's a good game. I bought a used copy for Xbox and my brother bough it just recently from Steam. With the screen tearing gone and sharper visuals it looks awesome.

Alan Wake had potential to be the best game of the generation, all it needed was a little more variety, items, an inventory, just some more options, variety and content. So much potential. Still a cool game.

Honestly the graphics are nice but i really don't see whats so great about the games, i watch my friend play through most of the game and it just seemed pretty dull

Let's hope the sequel is less dull in the gameplay department next time.FrozenLiquid

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

iamrob7

Once I scrolled down far enough to see the beard at the bottom, I laughed out loud.

I freakin :lol: :lol: as well. :P

OT, Yay Alan Wake.

Honestly the graphics are nice but i really don't see whats so great about the games, i watch my friend play through most of the game and it just seemed pretty dull

Chris_Williams

You watched someone else play a video game?

That's not how you maximize enjoyment from video games.

Next you're going to tell me one of your friends told you all about The Avengers, and from his description you'll know how good of a movie it is.

Funny that this was originally a PC exlcusive and hyped to demonstrate quad core CPUs and DX10 (aka Windows Vista).

[QUOTE="Chris_Williams"]

Honestly the graphics are nice but i really don't see whats so great about the games, i watch my friend play through most of the game and it just seemed pretty dull

Raymundo_Manuel

You watched someone else play a video game?

That's not how you maximize enjoyment from video games.

Next you're going to tell me one of your friends told you all about The Avengers, and from his description you'll know how good of a movie it is.

I've always liked the adventure game genre and I've kept a few through the years. It looks like I'll be keeping Alan Wake as well. It's like a 3D adventure game. If Heavy Rain was out for the PC, I'd probably buy it as well....I'll buy the latter game anyway once I inherit my kid's PS3.

Edit:

I was surprised to find Alan Wake PC retail in Walmart. I grabbed a copy as an impulse buy.

I've always liked the adventure game genre and I've kept a few through the years. It looks like I'll be keeping Alan Wake as well. It's like a 3D adventure game. If Heavy Rain was out for the PC, I'd probably buy it as well....I'll buy the latter game anyway once I inherit my kid's PS3.

Edit:

I was surprised to find Alan Wake PC retail in Walmart. I grabbed a copy as an impulse buy.

jun_aka_pekto

[QUOTE="WilliamRLBaker"]

by the way what is mmgn? I've never heard of them...seems like a small site trying to get hits.

tenaka2

[QUOTE="jun_aka_pekto"]

I've always liked the adventure game genre and I've kept a few through the years. It looks like I'll be keeping Alan Wake as well. It's like a 3D adventure game. If Heavy Rain was out for the PC, I'd probably buy it as well....I'll buy the latter game anyway once I inherit my kid's PS3.

Edit:

I was surprised to find Alan Wake PC retail in Walmart. I grabbed a copy as an impulse buy.

skrat_01

Cool. I'll have to add LA Noire as well.

Just picked up the first one on Steam. Don't know why I never got it on 360, but I'm glad I waited.

You know what I find alarming about this metric.. Fruit Ninja Kinect outsold 98% of those titles on that list and that's a free IOS app. Beyond that.. not sure if measuring Leader Boards is the most accurate thing in the world. What if they don't have XBL?

hurrah!!!! hurrahhh for our great hermits!!!!