Alan Wake developer Remedy has acknowledged that its decision to sign an Xbox 360 exclusivity deal with Microsoft was a "business risk" - but one that reduced the technological headaches associated with making the game.
The adventure thriller was originally planned for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, but Microsoft swept in with an offer that was too good to refuse.
Although this decision created the worry of a reduced potential market, Remedy told an audience at GDC earlier this month that it helped reign in the scope of a wildly ambitious project.
"Our strategy was one of focus," said Remedy CTO Markus Maki. "That's actually a really core Remedy element, well if you forget the ambitious goals we had. We needed to be top notch in some areas, but we knew we couldn't do everything better than some developers out there. For example, this meant there was no multiplayer. That wasn't in our core set of skills and it would have been a huge effort.
Maki explained that Remedy created the Alan Wake engine from scratch with just eight programmers - despite temptation to cancel its work and employ Epic's Unreal Engine.
"We looked at Unreal and other technologies out there, but this was actually before the PS3 and Xbox 360 were ever even released," he added. "We also had all three platforms planned in the beginning - PC, 360 and PS3. I think it's safe to say now overly optimistic view of the schedule.
"At that point, we didn't dare commit to shipping a game on third-party tech until the developers of that tech had shipped a game on each of those platforms. Five years later, [I'll admit] that the reasoning wasn't solid because these guys beat us to the punch easily."
However, Maki reasserted that Remedy was now delighted with its engine, and the lighting effects and open world environments it could produce - and that the studio had learned many valuable lessons from its creation.
Remedy programmer Olli Tervo added that the studio didn't plan to re-write its engine for future projects - joking that the studio would stick with it "unless good reasons appear".
Comments
36 comments so far...
Moribundman on 25 Mar '11 said:
I think not releasing it on PC has probably been a lot more of a "risk" and done a lot more damage long term than platform exclusivity, and I'm assuming MS haven't tied their hands licensing-wise. The game should have done a hell of a lot better (and deserved to) but it was released late at a highly competetive time of year, with relatively little love from MS.
metallicorphan on 25 Mar '11 said:
i liked the game and the DLC,i hope there is going to be a sequel
Megatrons_Fury on 25 Mar '11 said:
If you decide to release games on only 1 of the 3 home consoles it is a huge risk indeed.....
However........
If you decide to multi format relase the risks are massive as well, you could decide to partner up with one of the big guys to help you in this but it could all end in tears like it did for bizarre creations ( who chased the Activision money train and got royally killed for it )
From a gamers point of view it's never been so exciting as these next gen games are overall extremely good both in terms of graphical achievement and in the layers of realism and if included depth of multiplayer, for a developer though it is a huge expense and based on this generations MONO gamer tendancies (yes cod lovers, im looking at you) making any fresh departures from the same old shooter demographic can be troublesome.
Remedy in making a survival horror game ( not in fashion at the best of times, shame on you UK public ) and then making it for only 1 console should both be applauded in their confidence to do so but also politely reminded that in order to still be around in the next 5 years during this extremely volitile industry period of digital change etc they may consider not always sticking to the exclusive path.
From a cost standpoint it's not cheap to make 2 different versions of the same game but if you get it right the benefits can be huge, this is why silent hill and resident evil go with multi-format and why Konami and Capcom make so much money, would they to choose a single platform i promise you the backlash would be so vast it would permanently harm their perceptions as a developer.
I personally loved Alan wake and it fit the 360 like a glove, the fact it was a single player game gets extra kudos from me as im not a online shooter lemming like so many and i feel that a game lives and dies by it's one player content, multiplayer elements should be a consideration but never the ONLY consideration when developing.
Im on the fence when it comes to the whole silly 360 vs PS3 thing as i have both because im a real videogame fan who commits to his hobby but i will finish by saying that if you make a non multiplayer game exclusive to microsofts console then your very lucky if it hits as the 360 really is the first choice of the social gamer in my humble opinion.
When's Alan Wake 2 then guys............... Wink Wink.
Clusks on 25 Mar '11 said:
In hindsight, releasing on the same day as Red Dead Redemption was a much bigger risk.
conceptwhite_fox on 25 Mar '11 said:
Meh...
slothfull9 on 25 Mar '11 said:
So why did it take so long to release the game?
It's a pity they didn't stick to their original plans to make AW an open world game.
craiglackenby on 25 Mar '11 said:
I really enjoyed Alan Wake and would love a sequel.
No disrespect but..... imo I disagree to some extent with Megatrons_Fury, Konami's biggest selling game that accounted for more than 90% of their profits for the year it came out was PS3 exclusive...... you know...... the amazing MGS4. Even all that wonga couldn't of been enough as the next MGS is multi plat, imo though it isn't a MGS game it's just a spin off which redeems it's self on a really interesting protagonist with an interesting, emotional back story.
If or when there is a MGS5 it will be PS3 exclusive, I think the only reason most PS3 fans didn't mind Rising going to the 360 is because they knew it wasn't a true MGS game and it has nothing to do with fanboys crying their fave game is multi plat, (although some may be) it's more true MGS is sort of personal to core PS3 fans just like Halo is to the 360. I don't know why but I just don't think it would be right for Halo to come to the PS3 either, it's the like the 360s hallmark, just like MGS is to the PS3.
ShXIII on 25 Mar '11 said:
Remedy sold out to MS, MS has no respect for the PC as a gaming platform so PC gamers got screwed in the end waiting for a game that was originally being developed for PC. I don't really care if Alan Wake was a success or not. I never played it and wont unless the PC version comes out. Dumbasses at Remedy shot themselves in the foot with negative community feedback by pulling an EPIC games and letting MS get their greedy hands involved.
damoxuk on 25 Mar '11 said:
Well it's not just platform exclusivity what is to blame for lack of sales it's marketing.
Look at Heavy Rain for PS3 - a game what on the face of it seemed destined to fail sales wise but good buzz/marketing meant it did great sales, that and the fact it was released at a quiet period.
Not enough marketing/bad timing is what made Alan Wake sales wise a failure (good game like).
gillri on 25 Mar '11 said:
thats why I dont give credence to any gamer that sticks to one system, miss out on too many great games
Alan Wake was a solid 8.5/10 game, I have never stuck to one system...if your a fan of gaming it doesnt make sense
DoucheVader on 25 Mar '11 said:
Remedy is completely wrong on that assessment. Alan Wake PS3 no-show was a STUPID DECISION. The Xbox library confirms that.
Very_Silver_Ownz on 25 Mar '11 said:
How is it is a '' business risk '' to release on 3 systems then limiting to just one ?
Be honest and admit microsoft gave you some money like they always do.
Releasing a single player only game on a online heavy console like 360 was suicide let alone releasing it against RDR.
I just wish Rockstar would hire these guys back. As much as Rockstar are amazing at making games they are ruining Max Payne 3.
infernoxXx on 25 Mar '11 said:
would have been great to play this in 1080p with 8xAA, better textures and better shadows on the pc.
Imaduck on 25 Mar '11 said:
Love the game, brilliant. A PC version would be cool and surely unbelievably easy to make. I do feel it benefitted from exclusivity though. The engine is gorgeous, I very much doubt it would've been as good if they'd had to design for multiplat. Good that they were just focused on 1 front. What can I say, sometimes going exclusive can pay off well.
kmcroc on 25 Mar '11 said:
Love how everyone acts or hints, that they would not have sold their own mother for the right price.
Taus on 26 Mar '11 said:
Alan Wake was a solid game, it was not up there with the best on XBox or PS3
For Remedy to say exclusivity was a risk but worth it is bulls**t, the first half of that statement is correct but not the last half.
it was a decent enough title but it didn't rate or sell as a AAA title and had a tortured dev cycle
Frankly Remedy should be thanking MS for keeping them in business; without that exclusivity agreement I doubt they could have spent 3-4 years developing the app for it to have sold as the numbers it did and stayed in business. That fat cash from MS means they get to chat s**t a year later about their business acumen
Look at Free Radical, a studio who were far more accomplished & successful than Remedy, one underwhelming game (Haze), out of business
The difference between Free Rad & Remedy - Free Rad didn't cut as good a deal with Sony as Remedy did with MS.
Paul_Boland2 on 26 Mar '11 said:
What about us PC gamers? You led us along with a carrot on a stick and then pulled the game away from us when it was starting to look like it was going to arrive. I've never played Alan Wake and I never will unless the PC version appears because I'm solely a PC gamers.
Moribundman on 26 Mar '11 said:
True. But ironically MS won't ever exploit the slick engine, and they'll treat AW like an adopted ginger. Hate to even suggest it but if I was Remedy I'd be courting Sony now. MS has one great loyal suitor and they f**k them up the arse on sight. Sorry Sam Lake. I bet you're f**king A Wake now...
Metagen on 26 Mar '11 said:
I actually think it probably would have sold better on PS3 both as a PS3 exclusive or as a multi-plat release. They definitely should have at least stuck to their original idea to release it for PC. They made some stupid decisions for this game IMO.
pRM8 on 26 Mar '11 said:
Yeah it was a 'business risk' and the risk clearly didn't pay off, the sales figures prove that. I really can't see how they can be content that they didn't release on other platforms.
jtthegame on 26 Mar '11 said:
its good it is a 360 exclusive ps should not get everything. this game is awesome worth getting the 360 for
Black Mantis on 26 Mar '11 said:
The game has sold over a million, pretty sure the risk paid off.
julioaragon on 26 Mar '11 said:
metal gear solid was a big bust for sony all that hype and it only sold 500,000 copies worldwide
User75 on 26 Mar '11 said:
this game is trash. i know cos i bought a 360 for it, and what a waste of money that was. no 360 can keep this terrible franchise, dont worry ps3 owners ure not missing out on anything
El Mag on 26 Mar '11 said:
What's Metal Gear Solid got to do with Remedy talking about Alan Wake?.
Hope the game gets a sequel, they'll hopefully sort out the main complaint about the first which was it got repetitive pretty fast. There's a decent story there, it just needs the gameplay tightening and include a few more set pieces like the farm rock out.
User75 on 26 Mar '11 said:
mgs4 sold 5 mill...
chunkysatsuma on 26 Mar '11 said:
This game helped me make up my mind in the PS3 360 debate. Own both consoles but it is games like this that make me think the 360 is just the superior gaming platform. PS3 might be more impressive technically but so far there is only one game that makes use of it.
verynaughtyboy on 26 Mar '11 said:
Alan Wake was a great game and respect to Remedy for not shoe-horning online multiplayer into it. On the other hand hand... I don't see anything about the game that seems like it could only be accomplished through single platform development. There are many multiplatform games that are as impressive or better. Frankly, I think that Remedy are just kissing Microsoft's ass here.
verynaughtyboy on 26 Mar '11 said:
Looked it up and it seems you are just wrong, no disrespect! During the 2009 financial year it reached 5,000,000 units. Maybe you missed a zero by mistake. In its first day on release it sold nearly half a million in the U.S. alone! It's a class game, you should try it if you haven't already.
Metagen on 26 Mar '11 said:
^This is what someone who has no idea what they're talking about sounds like. There was no way in hell MGS was gonna fail, it's simply too big a franchise and people had been waiting for that game for ages. Some even bought a PS3 for it. Even if the game was complete trash, which it wasn't (it was f**king brilliant), it still would have sold like hotcakes.
I can think of quite a few more than 1 and I'm guessing you most likely havent played many of the PS3 exclusives if that's what you believe.
I was actually interested on AW when I first I heard about it but the more I seen the less interested I became. It just looked very average to me, funny thing is I would have picked it up for PC anyway had it been released :/ Bad move Remedy.
Picnic12 on 26 Mar '11 said:
How do, or maybe more importantly should, people treat adopted ginger people in your opinion? (myself being ginger). Not trying to imply that such a person would be a second class citizen are you? They wouldn't be able to choose their hair colour (ginger hair doesn't necessarily dye easily) or that they are adopted, not that there would necessarily be anything wrong with either. Nothing instrinsically bad about red hair (to think so is no different from racism yet red haired people have amongst the greatest original claim to live in the UK being from celtic origin and always living here) and , whilst adoption is not the ideal, it could be preferable if the natural parents are terrible people.
chunkysatsuma on 27 Mar '11 said:
Owned and completed Heavy RAIN, killzone 2,3 uncharted 1,2 MGS4, little biig planet 1,2 Modnation and god of war 3.
All fantastic games but probably only one of em couldnt have worked on the 360. My point was when those studios working so closely with sony are not utilizing the power of the machine beyond the 360s capabilities a third party dev will always be tempted to develop for the 360 first as its cheaper. this then leads to things like gears being exclusive and other titles being bad ports.
So it is understandable that remedy, with no knowledge of the ps3 stuck with microsoft.
Not slagging the ps3 off at all as I would have cried if i hadnt been able to play some of those exclusives, just can see why some studios pick the 360 for apparently little cash incentive
Barca Azul on 27 Mar '11 said:
Its a shame really, as its the one exclusive that really looked of ineterst to me.
I owned both consoles last gen, but dont have the time or inclination this gen to own both and a few games isnt enough to warrant buy both.
Im getting very tired about reading about hundreds of FPS and a few other games this gen though. I like them, but one a year or less frequently is more than enough for me!
Like the other poster, ive been playing Mod nation alot and its a really fun game, and also love the Uncharted games so far.
liveswired on 27 Mar '11 said:
Probably a good idea - if Alan Wake showed up on PS3 with one dropped frame you would've had half the PS3 teeny boppers crying foul.
Crysis 2 is an example of a game with undeserved foul press (even though the beta demo fumbling probably deserved it) - But on release its a game on all platforms that looks absolutely stunning, massive environments and excellent MP (graphics are way better than the beta MP demo) Yet all the PS3 fanboys where crying foul of 'poor port' without even playing it!!!! Considering its scale its the best looking ps3 game out there and I can't recommend it to fellow ps3 players enough!
bivis87 on 27 Mar '11 said:
I agree with you 100%, you cannot say youre a true gamer unless you appreciate all great games regardless of format
armbar on 29 Mar '11 said:
@ dude above.
I agree and tbh I just couldn't see Halo doing so well on the PS3 either...
Gears ain't too ugly a game but it truly pales in comparison sat next to the visual behemoth that is Thrillzone 3! To proffer an analogy...if Gears is the ginger stepchild, then Halo would be the acne-ridden brat whose hair has already fallen out in festering lumps leaving a pale spotty bonce.
And before the accusation of PS3 fanboy is thrown I'd like to point out that I own no consoles and am strongly leaning towards getting myself another 360 in a couple months when my phone contract is due renewal - a "free60" one might call it, ho ho.
I just think that Halo is an acquired taste best left to those who understand its delicacy. The first game would undoubtedly not have made the impact it did had it not been such a graphical beauty at the time. However, I firmly believe that the following incarnations were more for fans of the series - this would explain why so many late adopters "just don't get it".
To be worthy of PS3 release it would have to be a complete Halo anthology constituting every Halo game ever released crammed onto one Bluray and sold for £40.
Just my humble opinion of course...