We're not quite sure how, considering the media blackout approach that Alan Wake developer Remedy Entertainment has taken, but Norwegian gaming site Gamer.no sat down for dinner with head of franchise development for Remedy, Oskari Häkkinen, this past week. New details were (unsurprisingly) scant, though we were able to glean a handful of facts from the interview. For instance, the game has, "a lot less action than Max Payne," the studio's last franchise which recently had a current-gen update announced.
Aside from an emphasis on story, Mr. Häkkinen says that weather effects will play a role in gameplay, specifically noting (by way of a strange sounding Google translation from Norwegian), "Everything in the game can be influenced by the weather. If you are running the car, run conditions will be worse by heavy rain, than if the weather was good ... the weather is dynamic, since it will influence how you play the game."
Furthermore, Mr. Häkkinen tells Gamer.no that, "Lighting is very important in the game, and this is a unique item that really has not been used in the game before on the way we do it." The obvious comparison here would be to last year's conceptually strong Alone in the Dark -- here's hoping Remedy can deliver on the lighting concept where Alone in the Dark more or less failed.
So, we officially still know little-to-nothing! We'll keep an eye out for information at E3 2009 in June, but, ya know, we're not holding our breath or anything.
[Via IGN]
Reader Comments (58)
Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:24PM ch3burashka said
Come on, FNG. Less gloom and doom. Just cross your lil' fingers and pray to Jesus. I know I will be.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 9:33PM (Unverified) said
No joke. This game has been shown off since before the Xbox 360 came out. If it ever does see the light of day, it better be f-ing amazing.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 10:55PM (Unverified) said
This game looked so revolutionary when it was first showed off; it's sad that it's already looking dated and they still don't seem anywhere close to releasing it.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:44PM doreo said
Ok I don't even have a 360 (I'm a ps3 owner) but I think this needs to be said. What is it with you kids today and your graphics? Everyone nowadays is like ugh this game doesn't look great or this game looks like crap...
Graphics aren't the most important thing in the world. It doesn't matter how many polygons a character has, it's all about the story and gameplay. It's like criticizing a book for having an ugly cover. Why should the cover matter when what we really are looking for in a book is a captivating story?
This is no way directed entirely to Squid, it's just an ongoing trend I'm starting to see. It's just disappointing that this generation of gaming is all about top of the line graphics over substance. I mean sure great looking games are a plus but there is more than that. The experience itself should evoke emotion, contain your interest, and have you walk away satisfied.
That is all children...
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Graphics aren't the most important thing in the world. It doesn't matter how many polygons a character has, it's all about the story and gameplay. It's like criticizing a book for having an ugly cover. Why should the cover matter when what we really are looking for in a book is a captivating story?
This is no way directed entirely to Squid, it's just an ongoing trend I'm starting to see. It's just disappointing that this generation of gaming is all about top of the line graphics over substance. I mean sure great looking games are a plus but there is more than that. The experience itself should evoke emotion, contain your interest, and have you walk away satisfied.
That is all children...
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:17AM Vcize said
There are many pieces that make up a game. Story, characters, gameplay, and yes, graphics.
Saying that graphics don't matter is just as silly as saying they're all the matters.
And FWIW, there's not much meat here to this story other than the screenshots so it's natural that the issue of graphics would come up. Just because someone mentions the word "graphics" doesn't mean that's all they care about.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go chase some kids off my lawn.
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Saying that graphics don't matter is just as silly as saying they're all the matters.
And FWIW, there's not much meat here to this story other than the screenshots so it's natural that the issue of graphics would come up. Just because someone mentions the word "graphics" doesn't mean that's all they care about.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go chase some kids off my lawn.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:22AM Vcize said
And I'll also note that many of this generation's best selling games are middle of the pack in the graphics department. Halo 3, CoD4, GTA4, etc all don't have special graphics. Most other big games are built on something other than graphics too. Whether it be LBP, Braid, and Portal's tantalizing gameplay or Mass Effect and MGS4's engrossing stories, the examples are plentiful.
If all people cared about was graphics then every flight combat game would sell 10 million units.
What's really happening here is that nostalgia is screwing with people's view of the past and making you think that no one used to ever care about graphics before. It's the same now as it always was. It was just 32-bit vs. 16-bit rather than 720p vs. 480p.
The discussion of graphics has always been there and people that have been around for a long time just seem to fixate on anyone that mentions the word graphics nowadays and assume that's all people care about. They couldn't be further from the truth.
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If all people cared about was graphics then every flight combat game would sell 10 million units.
What's really happening here is that nostalgia is screwing with people's view of the past and making you think that no one used to ever care about graphics before. It's the same now as it always was. It was just 32-bit vs. 16-bit rather than 720p vs. 480p.
The discussion of graphics has always been there and people that have been around for a long time just seem to fixate on anyone that mentions the word graphics nowadays and assume that's all people care about. They couldn't be further from the truth.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:27AM (Unverified) said
Graphics whores are the cancer of the industry. They've been around since the bit wars.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:35AM doreo said
I don't know, my first system when I was a kid was a super nintendo. I never cared about the graphics it was more about playing the games themselves. The same could be said about my sega genesis, n64, and playstation 1. I believe when I bought a playstation 2 and starting reading gaming magazines, that was when I started to look at a games graphics. It wasn't even that important to me until I saw games like ico and god of war.
Then i remember when all the trailers for the games of the next generation came out, the point that was stressed were the graphics. Then I became a graphics whore, but I've been more impressed with what was accomplished by more artistic titles. For example I loved Pixel Junk eden for it's atmosphere, I loved Okami for it's art style, I loved Valkyria Chronicles for it's hand drawn art style, etc. I find myself more impressed by these games then the games like killzone 2 and gears of war. Don't get me wrong, I think killzone 2 looks amazing but I feel the industry as a whole needs to bring something else to the table. I mean this generation is all about the graphics! Companies stress that when marketing their games, and I feel that the industry needs than that if they want to thrive for many years to come. I mean how close to real life can you get before your like okay, what else do you got?
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Then i remember when all the trailers for the games of the next generation came out, the point that was stressed were the graphics. Then I became a graphics whore, but I've been more impressed with what was accomplished by more artistic titles. For example I loved Pixel Junk eden for it's atmosphere, I loved Okami for it's art style, I loved Valkyria Chronicles for it's hand drawn art style, etc. I find myself more impressed by these games then the games like killzone 2 and gears of war. Don't get me wrong, I think killzone 2 looks amazing but I feel the industry as a whole needs to bring something else to the table. I mean this generation is all about the graphics! Companies stress that when marketing their games, and I feel that the industry needs than that if they want to thrive for many years to come. I mean how close to real life can you get before your like okay, what else do you got?
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 2:47AM (Unverified) said
I was never complaining about the graphics not being good enough, just using that as an example of how long the development process for the game has dragged on.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 4:36AM (Unverified) said
If a book can't be judged by its cover, why bother designing a cover?
In all seriousness, graphics are secondary to gameplay but can go a long ways towards enhancing the experience. The quickest, easiest way to make a good impression is to be visually appealing and that makes it easier to sell.
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In all seriousness, graphics are secondary to gameplay but can go a long ways towards enhancing the experience. The quickest, easiest way to make a good impression is to be visually appealing and that makes it easier to sell.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 5:37AM Alex R said
I agree with doreo. Who cares about graphics as long as you can see what you are doing and you can still enjoy it? I still love to play Fahrenheit for the Xbox 1 and it's no less fun than it was when it came out.
I strongly recommend Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy to EVERYONE
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I strongly recommend Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy to EVERYONE
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 10:40AM Vegnagun said
Anyone who says graphics aren't important in the least is simply wrong. Some games can be fine without any real work put into the graphics, but most games would benefit greatly from better graphics. It's a visual media, why wouldn't graphics be important? Good graphics can suck you into a game and bad graphics can have you let down thoroughly.
What's with this "if I can see what I'm doing and it's fun it doesn't matter" bullshit? You'd like it if all games went back to atari green and red block graphics as long as most were fun? Don't be stupid. That kind of ridiculous graphics-don't-matter opinion showed up after Nintendo didn't put a lot of horsepower in the Wii and tons of fanboys jumped up to decry graphics. Graphics are important, if you think otherwise you're wrong.
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What's with this "if I can see what I'm doing and it's fun it doesn't matter" bullshit? You'd like it if all games went back to atari green and red block graphics as long as most were fun? Don't be stupid. That kind of ridiculous graphics-don't-matter opinion showed up after Nintendo didn't put a lot of horsepower in the Wii and tons of fanboys jumped up to decry graphics. Graphics are important, if you think otherwise you're wrong.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 10:42AM Vegnagun said
@doreo503
Are you serious with your comparison to a book cover? Do you realize that video games are a visual media and books are comprised of words? You couldn't have missed the point at all. Sure the cover of a book isn't that important, but I'm not staring at it the entire time I read it.
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Are you serious with your comparison to a book cover? Do you realize that video games are a visual media and books are comprised of words? You couldn't have missed the point at all. Sure the cover of a book isn't that important, but I'm not staring at it the entire time I read it.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 11:42PM stubby boardman said
Since you guys and/or gals seem most stimulated by the graphical presentation of this game I'd like to ask you what you think of the artistic presentation. If you watch the most recently released trailer you might notice that it's portrayed very much like a movie promo. It's impressive, to say the least. So I ask what is more important to you.. graphical or artistic value? Which game do you find to be more beautiful.. Crysis or Braid? Do you think it even matters?
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 10:55PM Fuzzy OneThree said
Can't wait to see this game actually finished.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:08PM MyAbsolution said
And Im sure no one needs you to spew crap either.
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:48PM doreo said
I think as gamers we all linger to play something! Isn't that why were avid gamers? Hell isn't that why we all visit joystiq, because we linger to play something?
Honestly I have a ps3 and I'm quite bored at the moment, I have all the essential games but I want something new! For example I want infamous, therefore I am lingering to play something.
So don't try to speak for all ps3 users, because not all of us are dicks.
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Honestly I have a ps3 and I'm quite bored at the moment, I have all the essential games but I want something new! For example I want infamous, therefore I am lingering to play something.
So don't try to speak for all ps3 users, because not all of us are dicks.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:14AM original fred said
"360 fanboys who desperately linger for something to play"
wat
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wat
Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:02PM (Unverified) said
Wow... There are some that said this day would never come, what are they so say now?
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Posted: Mar 28th 2009 11:04PM TheDarkWayne said
they would probably say that it still isn't out yet
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:17AM (Unverified) said
It was a halo reference :) just felt fitting seeing as how talk has been said that the game was canceled and no more info would surface.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 12:37AM F1 Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu said
Shit know I remember! Truth said it! Thx for the help; that was driving me crazy.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 3:29PM (Unverified) said
"what are they so say now?"
For a second I thought this was a Metal Gear NES reference.
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For a second I thought this was a Metal Gear NES reference.
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 1:28AM HighFiveJesus said
i remember hearing how it was being run on quad core systems and i was all OOOH but now, its like not a big deal. still hope it turns out to be great.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 3:31AM einhanderkiller said
It's still sort of a big deal since a lot games still aren't multi-core optimized.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 5:21AM (Unverified) said
ooooh weather conditions and lighting. how exciting! next itl be how much fiber is in your diet and how many brush strokes it takes to clean your teeth. for all i know this game could be something epic. but at the moment, it sounds a little dull.
and yeah graphis dont matter, i mean i still have a ps1 hooked up for the odd blast of a final fantasy game. but, good graphics on a game can sometimes save it from a bad story or something.
speaking of ps1 games, i want a 360 version of rollcage. i used to love that game. even an arcade version would do.
merry thanks giving to all
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and yeah graphis dont matter, i mean i still have a ps1 hooked up for the odd blast of a final fantasy game. but, good graphics on a game can sometimes save it from a bad story or something.
speaking of ps1 games, i want a 360 version of rollcage. i used to love that game. even an arcade version would do.
merry thanks giving to all
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 5:34AM (Unverified) said
Like i said before, it was announced in 2005. At that point people got excited, but the constant lack of information has made people bored. That "must have" feeling has somewhat gone away. Sure people will still buy it when it comes, but the excitement isnt that strong any more. And it makes the game look "meh" these days.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 7:03AM (Unverified) said
running the car will run conditions will be worse by heavy rain, than if the weather was good ...
excuse me......what?
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excuse me......what?
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 8:00AM (Unverified) said
This game is still getting worked on? Oh my ...
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 9:05AM senorwhoppy said
Does anyone know if this is 360 exclusive, or will it come to PC as well? Between this and Fable 2 I might have to find enough pennies for a 360.
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Posted: Mar 29th 2009 9:06AM (Unverified) said
Wow, those babelfish translations really suck don't they?:P I'm a Norwegian, and no you won't be running the car, you'll rather be driving the car, and the driving conditions will severely be affected by the weather, and when asked if the weather was dynamic, they said that it will be more "directed" so that they can get the effect they want at any given time.
He also hoped that the way they were using lighting would kinda be like the next bullet-time. No one had done it before (according to Häkkinen)
And last, for you who worry about the graphics, Häkkinen said it has come along way since last time it was shown, and he was confident that when it got out, it would be among the prettiest games on the shelves. =)
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He also hoped that the way they were using lighting would kinda be like the next bullet-time. No one had done it before (according to Häkkinen)
And last, for you who worry about the graphics, Häkkinen said it has come along way since last time it was shown, and he was confident that when it got out, it would be among the prettiest games on the shelves. =)
Posted: Mar 29th 2009 10:43AM (Unverified) said
At this point, I don't care about A.Wake anymore.
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