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LocalThunk’s Balatro, developed by Playstack, was deemed a royal flush as it was crowned Game of the Year at the 25th Game Developers Choice Awards. Handed out on Wednesday at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Balatro also snagged wins for Best Design, Best Debut and the Innovation Award.

Other winners included Astro Bot, which won Best Audio and Best Technology. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth garnered a win for the Audience Award while the Best Narrative went to Metaphor: ReFantazio. Black Myth: Wukong and Astro Bot came into the ceremony with a leading seven nominations apiece. Baldur’s Gate 3 dominated last year’s Gdc Awards, taking three awards, including Game of the Year.

This year’s Game Developers Choice Awards honored indie developer Lucas Pope known for cult hit puzzle games Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, with the Pioneer Award.

Another honoree also included Remedy Entertainment’s creative director Sam Lake,...

Aidan Gillen, best known as Petyr Baelish/ Littlefinger in Game Of Thrones, once appeared in the 2011 British thriller movie Blitz, where he played a ruthless antagonist against actor Jason Statham. Gillen’s character, Ferguson was a violent criminal who served as a key figure in the intense narrative. As a brutal murderer, he provides a sharp contrast to Statham’s tough cop, Detective Sergeant Tom Brant.

Aiden Gillen in game of Thrones | Credit: HBO

In an interview, Gillen shared the behind-the-scene details about his intense fight scene preparation where he went a little too far, injuring a crew member. The Got actor also shared his physical preparation for a fight scene with Statham, with one scene that resulted in more than just bruises.

Aidan Gillen left a stunt member injured with a bloodied nose

While strategizing his political maneuvers in Game of Thrones, actor Aidan Gillen has also made his...

Despite being Remedy Entertainment’s second game, Max Payne is an immensely ambitious action game that combines mature storytelling with themes from John Woo films to produce a timeless masterpiece. Similar to bullet-time in The Matrix films, the slowdown function in this third-person action game is available to the game’s protagonist, a former NYPD investigator.

Max Payne was released in 2001. | Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Like Neo, Max can make slow-motion leaps while holding his reliable weapons in both hands to eliminate opponents in front of him. It’s been over two decades since this game’s release, but the immaculate writing of the game even beats the monologues of recently released titles like Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Max Payne‘s writing is a timeless classic That “Noooo!” still haunts many Max Payne fans. | Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Max Payne was released in 2001and quite naturally graphics was not a big deal at that time.

Hollywood and video game adaptations have a complicated relationship. While some films find success, many are met with a barrage of criticism from fans and critics alike. Long before Mark Wahlberg suited up as Sully in Uncharted, he dipped his toes into the world of video game movies.

Mark Wahlberg in Max Payne | Credits: 20th Century Studios

With an $85 million budget, stylish visuals, and a strong cast, it had all the makings of a hit. But even before stepping onto the set, Wahlberg had his doubts, in hindsight it seems pretty justified. But why did Wahlberg hesitate?

What did Mark Wahlberg find that made Max Payne a red flag? A still from Max Payne | Credits: Rockstar Games

When Max Payne was pitched to Mark Wahlberg, he wasn’t exactly jumping with joy. Despite the game’s cult following and gritty neo-noir storyline, Wahlberg wasn’t familiar with the source material.

It’s no surprise that with David Lynch‘s passing earlier this month, filmmakers have been coming out of the woodwork to celebrate the man and his talent for the surreal, and being a source of inspiration for many. It wasn’t just filmmakers that were taking the time to talk about Lynch, however. Game developers such as Sam Lake to Hideo Kojima were also giving thanks for the man who inspired them.

As a result, there are several titles that have drawn inspiration from Lynch’s works, many of which are common knowledge, while some are lesser known. Regardless, once you dive into them, the light goes on and you realize yourself that Lynch himself could very well have made the crossover to video games at some point.

And really, who can forget that iconic PlayStation 2 commercial?

But enough rambling. Here’s a selection of titles that have roots...

Iconic filmmaker David Lynch died on January 16th at the age of 78. Artists, creatives, and members of the film community at large took to social media to express their gratitude for Lynch’s visionary, distinct work.

Longtime collaborator and friend Kyle MacLachlan wrote a lengthy tribute on Instagram, saying he owed “my entire career, and life really” to Lynch’s vision. “I will miss him more than the limits of my language can tell and my heart can bear,” he said. “My world is that much fuller because I knew him and that much emptier now that he’s gone.”

Naomi Watts, who starred in Mulholland Drive, said her “heart is broken.” She added, “The world will not be the same without him. His creative mentorship was truly powerful. He put me on the map.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Steven Spielberg opened up about his own relationship with Lynch.

Max Payne, released in 2001, is widely regarded as a classic in gaming history. With its groundbreaking bullet-time mechanics, gritty storytelling, and noir atmosphere, it quickly gained a cult following. Players were captivated by Max’s tragic journey for revenge and redemption.

Fans still remember the dream sequences of the game. | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

However, for all its brilliance, the game is also infamous for two sequences that are not known for their innovation, but for their ability to frustrate players to no end. In fact, These sequences have earned a reputation for being hated even more than the punishingly difficult gameplay in titles like Elden Ring.

The infamous dream sequences in Max Payne Fans don’t want to take part in the dream sequences as they are frustrating. | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

The dream sequences in Max Payne were meant to serve as a narrative device and to provide...

The creative director behind Alan Wake 2 and Control has delved into the shared universe between the games and revealed more information on what's to come from Remedy Entertainment. Sam Lake, an auteur-like figure behind the Finnish developers, sat down for a short interview with IGN where he discussed the future of the Remedy Connected Universe with Control 2, as well as their upcoming remakes of Max Payne 1 and 2, and 2025's Fbc: Firebreak.

Sam Lake, the pen name for Sami Antero Järvi, has creatively led titles like the first two iterations of Max Payne, the Alan Wake games, and Control. All of these titles have received critical acclaim, with the latter titles being praised for their revolutionary approach to meta-narratives and unique gameplay. The release of 2019's Control saw the beginnings of the Remedy Connected Universe becoming explicit thanks to the Awe Dlc, where the protagonist Jesse Faden investigates Alan Wake's otherworldly experiences in Bright Falls.

The multiverse is everywhere, from the unstoppable Marvel machine to Oscar-winning films like Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) — and even dozens of fan theories about My Little Pony. Every single facet of entertainment has started toying with universe-hopping storytelling, and yes, that includes video games.

This year alone, over a half dozen games have created their own multiverses — like trading Npc allies with other Dragon’s Dogma 2 players across realities. There’s been a dramatic uptick in these kinds of explorations, and there’s a good reason for that, according...

The Game Awards hit record viewership with its 2024 show on Dec. 12, which drew an estimated 154 million global livestreams. That’s up 31% over the 2023 show at 118 million livestreams.

Per the Game Awards, which marked its 10-year anniversary with the 2024 show, the 2024 viewership high was reached with streams across YouTube, Twitch, Steam, TikTok Live, X, Instagram Live, and Facebook. Additionally, show hit its global viewership milestone amid a record number of platforms streaming in China including Bilbili, Huya, Weibo, WeChat, Douyin, Zhihu, DouYu, Baidu, NetEase Cc, Tencent Video, Qq, Kuishou, HeyBox; in South Korea or Chzzk and Soop, and NicoNico in Japan.

Unlike most other high-profile awards shows, the indie event hosted by gaming industry star Geoff Keighley does not have an exclusive streaming deal with a network or streaming service.

The top winner out of the 2024 Game Awards was “Astro Bot” from Team Asobi and PlayStation, which won four awards, including Game of the Year.

Max Payne 2’s emotional depth was achieved largely due to a big risk that Sam Lake took while writing the game. He was not sure whether the journey he had penned down would sit well with the audience or not, leaving him with no choice but to trust his instincts and take a leap of faith.

Sam Lake took a big leap of faith with Max Payne 2. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

The risk taken by Lake worked well in his favor since that aspect of the game was widely celebrated by the players, establishing Lake as one of the best developers in the market. Max Payne started a journey for him that eventually led him to create the world of Alan Wake.

Sam Lake Went With His Gut While Writing Max Payne 2 Mona Sax and Max Payne’s love story ends on a tragic note. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

Max...

The concept of a shared or connected universe has grown to new levels of popularity in the last couple of decades, all thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it comes to MCU movies, it’s no longer considered epic enough if it revolves around one hero. Fans demand to see cameos, references, and post-credited scenes.

Over the decades Remedy Entertainment has given us some incredible IPs. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Some video games have also hopped on this trend, with the most high-profile being the Remedy Connected Universe. It was first confirmed with the release of Control‘s Awe Dlc, which delved into the world of Alan Wake. With the second Alan Wake game debuting last year, the Remedy Connected Universe was finally established. However, as long as it can’t integrate Max Payne and Quantum Break, it won’t reach the same heights as MCU.

Remedy Connected Universe...

There’s really no experience in gaming at the moment that is more unique than the Remedy Connected Universe (Rcu), weaving psychological horror with the studio’s love for the zany into a shared narrative web.

Agent Estevez in Alan Wake 2’s The Lake House Dlc – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

But while this connected universe continues to grow with multiple games, movies, and TV shows on the way, another such universe may be forming very subtly under our noses. With Sam Lake showcasing how such narrative projects can work in gaming, it’s time for Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware to fully embrace their own shared universe as well.

What’s the current state of Sam Lake’s Remedy Connected Universe? The First Responders in Fbc: Firebreak – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Okay, we know what got you from that intro, but before we get into the FromSoftware stuff, let’s...

During Remedy Entertainment’s Capital Markets Day, it was revealed that its upcoming game, Control 2, will be an action RPG, unlike its predecessor, Control, which was an action-adventure game. Remedy Entertainment had a great year, thanks to the success of Alan Wake 2, but this is just the beginning as it has laid out a plan that is inspired by Marvel Studios.

2019’s Control was an action-adventure game (Image via Remedy Entertainment)

Last month, Remedy revealed Fbc: Firebreak, the studio’s first multiplayer game. Now, the studio plans to integrate Alan Wake, Control, and Firebreak into one universe, creating an McU-like interconnected universe. What Remedy is trying to create here is indeed unique and it makes us wonder why other video game publishers never tried to create something like this.

Remedy Entertainment Gave Fans A Major Update About Control 2

During an investors presentation, Remedy Entertainment revealed that Control 2 will be an action RPG,...

The Joe Rogan Experience is the Goat when it comes to podcasts. With over 2000 episodes to its name, it has never failed to entertain its audience for the past few years. The podcast can be a number of things – entertaining, funny, or downright controversial and offending – depending on how you look at it.

A still from The Joe Rogan Experience | Credits: #2229 / PowerfulJRE

In a recent episode of Jre, Joe Rogan touched on the topic of they/them pronouns when he brought up Sam Smith’s viral interview moment with BBC. There, Sam Smith admitted their love for fishing and revealed that they would love to be a “fisherthem.” Coming back to the podcast, Joe Rogan clearly thinks this was one of the most hilarious and absurd things he has ever heard.

Sam Smith on Wanting to be a Fisherthem Sam Smith in the music video of Unholy | Credits: Sam Smith...

In the genre of horror gaming, few titles have managed to leave as lasting an impression as Red Barrels’ Outlast (2013). While Alan Wake (2010) had already established a successful formula of blending supernatural elements with meta-narrative storytelling, Outlast‘s creators deliberately chose to take their horror in a completely different direction.

A scene from Alan Wake 2 (2023). | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

As we reflect on what makes a truly scary game, especially in light of Alan Wake 2‘s recent success with its mind-bending psychological horror, it’s fascinating to revisit writer J.T. Petty’s approach to crafting Outlast‘s narrative. His philosophy on horror storytelling stands in stark contrast to the metaphysical elements that have become increasingly common in modern horror games.

A Different Kind of Horror Story

When Outlast first hit the shelves, it stood out for its commitment to realism in a genre often dominated by supernatural threats and psychological twists.

The Alan Wake fandom seems to be getting increasingly creative with each passing day, and this fan-made film proves that the game has managed to attract an amazing set of players.

It is high time we see a film adaptation of Alan Wake. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

Alan Wake is a game that can easily be turned into a film. Since it is a narrative-driven game, it is relatively easier to adapt it for the screen, which makes it even more enticing to do it.

Alan Wake’s Live Action Is Something That We Did Not Know We Wanted The fan-made live-action adaptation of the game seems to be doing justice to the game. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

A fan-made Alan Wake live-action film has surfaced on the internet, taking everyone by surprise. MrPrid on Reddit shared the film clip, which looks extremely well made and professional.

The film needs...

When Alan Wake 2 first launched almost a year ago, it felt as though Remedy was all set for this generation, having created one of the greatest horror games of our time. But, a year later, Sam Lake’s horror masterpiece is facing a more mundane nightmare of our own reality: money, or more specifically, the lack of it.

Wake exploring the New York rooftops – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Unfortunately, despite critical acclaim and a recent boost from The Lake House Dlc, the game has yet to generate any tangible profits for the company. For a title like Alan Wake 2, with all the decisions Remedy was forced to make with it, this lack of profitability is a bit like a jump scare we all saw coming from a mile away.

Alan Wake 2‘s Sales Continue to Lag, and the game is yet to generate profits Kiran Estevez in The Lake House Dlc – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Max Payne, crafted by Remedy Entertainment, is undoubtedly one of the most influential and innovative third-person shooters of all time. It brought two well-received sequels, one being the revered Max Payne 3, the only game in the entire trilogy not developed by Remedy.

Max Payne is one of the most legendary gaming series. (Image via Rockstar Games)

The series’ protagonist, Max Payne, is often considered to be one of the most legendary video game characters. Despite facing the absolute worst, he overcomes everything, making him truly an inspiration. Over the years, many players believed certain aspects of his personality were a complete fluke, which made him famous. However, as it turns out, it was all a part of Remedy’s plans.

Max Payne Was Always Meant to Be a Loner Max’s personality was intentionally crafted in a specific way. (Image via Rockstar Games)

Max Payne has one of the most...

Remedy Entertainment’s highly successful 2001 video game, Max Payne, was one of the first to feature the bullet-time effect popularized by The Matrix. This completely changed the combat mechanics as players had the option to slow down the time to have better accuracy. Many modern video games have this feature but Max Payne did it more than two decades ago, and it’s all because of the legendary director John Woo.

Max Payne‘s Bullet Time mechanism made the game much more exciting (Image via Remedy Entertainment)

In a past interview, Petri Järvilehto, the director of Max Payne, explained that he was inspired by John Woo’s original Hong Kong action films and was determined to do something related to slow-motion in the game. Initially, the slow-motion effect was a scripted element. However, they later decided to change it, giving players the option to slow down time manually.

John Woo...

Even more than decades after its release, Max Payne still continues to be a popular name among the gaming community, thanks to the indelible mark it left in the industry.

A still from Max Payne. (Image via Remedy Entertainment)

Remedy Entertainment’s title is a highly rated, award-winning shooter that’s regarded as one of the best action games in the genre. What will truly surprise you is that the entire project and the protagonist were inspired by one violent game that you’d never even thought about.

Max Payne Comes From a Forgotten Remedy Entertainment Game Sam Lake’s inspiration for his biggest success. (Image via Remedy Entertainment)

Remedy Entertainment’s creative director, who provided their likeness for Max Payne‘s character model, Sam Lake, has been a popular figure among gamers and has a celebrity-like status. If it weren’t for his key contributions to the series, it...

The adult-animated sitcom The Simpsons just blew fans away with a series finale tease. While the showrunners have spoken about different episodes at this year’s Comic Con, the season 36 premiere seemed to have indicated that the show was going to end after all. However, that was not the case.

The season premiere included cameos from Conan O’Brien, John Cena, and more, with a narrative structured like a highlight reel. O’Brien mentioned in the episode that the show would end and that a generative AI device known as Hack-gpt would be writing the series finale. However, the end of the episode revealed that it was a fake-out.

The Simpsons Did Not End With The Season 36 Premiere A still from The Simpsons | Credits: Fox

The season 36 premiere of The Simpsons shocked fans with an opening that indicated that this would be the series finale of the show. Beginning with a...

October 2024 is shaping up to be a massive month for gaming, with huge horror titles like the Silent Hill 2 remake rubbing elbows with major RPG releases like Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Although it's traditionally associated with major horror releases just in time for the spooky season, there's truly something for everyone this October.

Whether they prefer cozy indie games or epic Aaa action, on PC, console, or Switch, every player should have something to be excited about this fall. To kick the season off, here's every major game release scheduled for October 2024.

October 2024 Is Packed Full Of Horror Releases Silent Hill 2 Remake, Alan Wake 2 Dlc, A Quiet Place, & More

It's no surprise to see a slew of horror games to be released in any given October, but October 2024 is stacked with massive horror releases in a way unlike any other year in recent memory. Between re-releases of classics,...

Alan Wake 2 is a masterclass in creativity, bringing fans an unsettling, twisted, and immersive horror experience. It’s the kind of game that everyone needs to experience at least once.

Saga exploring the area around Cauldron Lake – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Despite all the artistic brilliance, or perhaps as part of it, the game can be genuinely disturbing at times. But Sam Lake asking for his own character’s death to be far more gruesome from his team—that too, politely—does help provide a bit of relief from all of the game’s horrors.

Sam Lake Demanded Alex Casey’s death to have More Blood in Alan Wake 2 Rose in Alan Wake 2’s Night Springs Dlc – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

To reiterate, because it can’t be overstated, Alan Wake 2 really doesn’t like to hold back when it comes to its darker, horror-filled moments. Sure, the game’s got funnier bits too,...

In any video game, music plays a crucial role in setting the tone of the game. With Max Payne 2, the song ‘Late Goodbye’ not only just represents the end credit theme of the game but also one of the main inspirations behind the game’s narrative. The song’s acoustic guitar and delicate strings highlight the themes of loss, betrayal, and existential despair that are fabricated throughout the narrative.

The game story was originally supposed to be much darker. | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

However, not many players know that behind this song lies a much darker and more complex narrative thread that Sam Lake, the creative force behind the series, originally wanted to implement into the game’s storyline. As development progressed, his idea began to evolve and he decided to leave the much darker incorporation of the song out of the narrative but kept it in the end credit theme to resonate with fans,...

Alan Wake 2 has been a critical success, praised for its innovative storytelling, visuals, and eerie atmosphere. However, despite the acclaim, the game is still struggling to turn a profit. Remedy Entertainment, the developer behind the game, has faced financial challenges but remains optimistic about its future projects.

Wake exploring the New York rooftops – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

What surprises many is that, amid its own financial woes, Remedy’s own community manager, Vida Starčević, has come forward to defend the disastrous launch of Concord. With Remedy’s own profit woes in mind, it’s natural that Starčević’s outspoken defense of a game with an even faster collapse would raise a few eyebrows.

Vida Starčević, Alan Wake 2’s Community Manager, Called Out Concord’s Community Saga exploring Bright Falls in Alan Wake 2 – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Starčević recently took to social media to reply-on-reply to Daniel Ahmad’s reaction to the game being shut down,...

The PS5 Pro has been the talk of the town since its announcement, but not for the reasons Sony might have hoped. While the console boasts impressive specs and features, it’s the hefty price tag that has left many gamers scratching their heads.

At $699.99 for the digital-only version (and even more if bundled with the disc drive and vertical stand), it’s clear that Sony is targeting a very specific audience with this mid-gen upgrade.

One of the most visually impressive games ever. | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

But amidst all the backlash and controversy surrounding the console’s pricing, there’s a glimmer of hope for fans of Remedy Entertainment’s widely acclaimed magnum opus, Alan Wake 2.

Remedy Sheds Light on Alan Wake 2‘s PS5 Pro Enhancements

One of the games confirmed to receive PS5 Pro enhancements at launch is none other than Alan Wake 2. However, recent rumors suggesting...

Sam Lake is one of the most consistent video game auteurs in our industry. Each new creation only hones his game design philosophies and profound method of storytelling. The man’s portfolio, from Max Payne to Alan Wake 2, speaks for itself, after all.

Sam Lake as Max Payne – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

So when the man says that he wants to try his hand at a genre tailor-made for him and that he already has an idea for how it plays out, we can’t help but wonder what’s stopping him from diving right in.

Sam Lake Might Take On One of the Most Ill-Utilized Genres in Gaming Alan Wake fighting the Taken – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Let’s talk for a minute about Sam Lake’s work and expertise in game design. With Max Payne, the game’s dark, gritty narrative and intense action sequences set a new...

It’s a treat for all the Alan Wake fans out there because the universe of the franchise is about to get bigger. Recently, the developing company of the series, Remedy Entertainment, has paired up with Annapurna Pictures to develop and produce film, television, and other audio-visual formats based on the horror gaming franchise.

Alan Wake 2 got the Game of the Year for Best Narrative in 2023. | Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

Alan Wake 2 is undeniably one of the best horror games of all time, winning major accolades and awards in 2023. The story of the game follows the best-selling novelist who has been trapped in an alternate dimension for 13 years. Now, will it be possible to portray Wake’s journey in a single and continuous movie?

The Story of Alan Wake

The story of the franchise is based on a psychological thriller combined with action-adventure survival. In this game, one of the best-selling crime-thriller novelists,...

There’s no doubt that the video game industry is booming, and Hollywood is continuing to bring new takes on classic games to life in the forms of blockbuster movies and hit TV Shows. One popular game that still hasn’t been adapted includes Alan Wake, a psychological horror title that unravels the story of a thriller novelist investigating the mysterious disappearance of his wife.

Alan Wake is soon going to get silver-screen treatment. Image credit: Remedy Entertainment

Recently, Annapurna Pictures announced that it has partnered up with Remedy Entertainment to bring the world of Alan Wake to life for a film and TV project. Things are still up in the air about how this project would shape up, but gamers are intrigued by the question of who should play the titular character in the adaptation. While Keanu Reeves looks like an obvious choice, there’s a Marvel star who could absolutely nail the role.

It’s been nearly a year since the highly anticipated Alan Wake 2 hit the shelves, and fans have been eagerly waiting to see how the game has performed. With the creative minds of Sam Lake and Kyle Rowley at the helm, expectations were high for this sequel to the original cult classic.

“It began with a dream.” | Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

But the question on everyone’s mind is: did Alan Wake 2 manage to surpass its predecessor’s success, or did it fall short of the mark? The answer is a resounding yes—Alan Wake 2 has not only matched the original’s success but exceeded it in many ways.

From Cult Classic to Blockbuster Hit

When the original Alan Wake was released back in 2010, it was met with critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. While it may not have been a massive commercial success right out of the gate,...

With Alan Wake 2 finally breaking even in sales and recouping most of the investments poured into Sam Lake’s dearest project, things look a little brighter than before for the series’ future.

Alan Wake 2 expertly balances narrative depth and gameplay, but its wobbly financial success makes Remedy’s future plans feel slightly uncertain – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

But, breaking even doesn’t equate to profitability, and with CEO Tero Virtala laying down his ambitious plans for the company, one cannot help but wonder whether the studio can jump past one of its biggest hurdles and achieve the success that it has long deserved.

Remedy’s CEO Wants Future Alan Wake and Control Sequels to Generate Profits and Revenue for the Company Alan Wake 2 combines psychological horror with deep storytelling, earning it a spot as one of the best games of its generation – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

When it first came out in October,...

The Max Payne trilogy is often considered one of the greatest and most significant video games to have come out of the early 2000s, one that left a lasting lesson with its innovative mechanics and harrowing yet action-packed narratives.

Sam Lake’s side-smirking face and creative vision made Max Payne an unforgettable action hero in the 2001 game – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

The same, however, can never be said for the series’ 2008 film adaptation at the hands of 20th Century Fox, which can only be succinctly described as an absolute catastrophic train wreck given the form of a video game adaptation. What’s sadder, though, is how this fate could’ve easily been avoided had the filmmakers simply consulted the game’s creator, Sam Lake.

Sam Lake’s Lack of Involvement in the Max Payne Movie Is Why It Failed So Miserably Despite Max Payne’s iconic status, the 2008 film lacked...

Alan Wake first hit the market in 2010, and despite some flaws in its gameplay, it managed to satisfy a primal desire for most players. The first game lacked a lot of things but still managed to age well over the years.

Alan Wake stands the test of time and comes out strong. Image Credit Remedy Entertainment

The game revolutionized the survival horror genre with a touch of thrilling elements to keep players hooked on till the end. It is very different and unique from most of the other Aaa titles in today’s times.

Alan Wake Lacks In Some Ways But Excels In Many Alan Wake pushes the boundaries of the mystery horror genre. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

Alan Wake is a story-driven game, mainly focusing on its prime narrative involving a writer who is on a quest to find his missing wife. The game draws heavy inspiration from the...

Remedy Entertainment was a well-known name in the gaming industry when they first started working on Alan Wake. In the late 2000s, the studios partnered up with Microsoft Game Studios and started developing a game after taking inspiration from Stephen King’s novels, Twin Peaks. Finally, in 2010, Alan Wake was released for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 to generally positive reviews.

Alan Wake is often cited as one of the best games of 2010 (Image via Remedy Entertainment)

The game will forever be one of the best action-adventure horror games of all time but it had some flaws. Most of the issues were fixed roughly 11 years later when players got a remastered version of the game, however, they did not remaster Alan Wake’s American Nightmare Dlc. With the sequel, Remedy specifically focused on these flaws to make sure Alan Wake 2 turns out to be perfect.

The First Alan Wake Game Had A...

Alan Wake 2 is considered a modern masterpiece, leaving all of its predecessors long behind. The game is a one-of-its-kind survival horror with a tight story and gripping world.

Alan Wake 2 opens the door to an intimate and emotionally rich gaming experience. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

However, Alan Wake 1 should be praised for setting up the world and all of its themes, but it still falls short of its successor in more than many ways and does not age well with time.

Alan Wake 2 Leaves All The Other Games Behind Alan Wake surpasses its predecessors and excels in a world full of possibilities. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

Alan Wake remastered was released a few years ago in 2021. The game got a lot of attention due to the anticipation building up for the release of Alan Wake 2 in the following years.

However, the remastered version made fans realize that the game does...

The recent Minecraft movie trailer that dropped just yesterday has left many fans scratching their heads. People expected something fun, creative, and maybe even a bit crazy, but what they got was a total mess.

The film looks more like a bad CGI experiment than something that should’ve brought the fun world of Minecraft to life. The decision to make it live-action instead of animated was a huge misstep, and most fans agree. It seems that unfortunately, the movie will be following in the footsteps of another huge recent misfire, the Borderlands movie.

The Borderlands Movie Missed the Mark Completely, and the Minecraft Movie Looks to Follow Suit How do you look at the creativity and art style of Minecraft and come up with the live-action abomination? Image via Mojang Studios

Minecraft is known for its simple yet charming game visuals. This could’ve been a great animated movie...

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.

Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror masterpiece that blends gameplay, story, and atmosphere to create an unforgettable experience. Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

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 Alan Wake 2’s lack of physical media and platform exclusivity has limited its reach, hurting its potential to achieve higher sales – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment.

With this game,...

Max Payne is one of the few video game franchises that suffered a terrible fate when adapted into a motion picture film. The star power of Mark Wahlberg couldn’t save the movie from the backlash of the gaming community and the harsh reviews of the critics. Released a few years ago, it was a time when most video game adaptations were poorly made and failed to capture the game’s core leading to a poor reception from fans and critics alike.

This film is a prime example of how not to adapt a video game to live-action. Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Scott Miller, a producer of the video game franchise felt disappointed with the adaptation released in 2008. Despite the mess, he thinks the game deserves a second chance in Hollywood.

Another Attempt to Remake Max Payne in Live-Action Could Work With Sam Lake

Alan Wake 2 director Sam Lake...

Even more than a decade after its release, Max Payne 3 still remains one of the best gameplay of third-person shooter combat. Sadly it was the Rockstar Games’ final installment in the Max Payne series but it cemented its place in the player’s hearts. The series still serves as a testament to how a developer can dedicated its time to perfect the genre’s mechanics.

Fans believe that the third installment of the Max Payne series still has the best third-person combat. | Image Credit: Rockstar Games

In the modern era where third-person shooters have become stale and repetitive, to say the least. The third installment of the beloved series remains unmatched in its combat to this day, and it’s a real shame that Rockstar seems to have forgotten this gem of their own creation.

Max Payne 3 Setting a Benchmark in Third-Person Shooter Combat

From the start, the main focus...

It’s a pretty well-known story about how Sam Lake, Remedy Entertainment’s primary creative powerhouse, first entered the world of game development. Back then, little could the man have ever predicted that his own face would become one of the most iconic in video game history.

It’s difficult to image a world in which people would look at Sam Lake and not yell, “It’s Payne, whack ‘im!”

That’s what happened with Max Payne’s instant success back in 2001. Overnight, Payne, and by extension Lake, became the face of gritty, neo-noir storytelling in gaming. Fascinatingly, though, Lake has admitted in recent times that if he knew just how big his game would become, he may have stopped to think twice before lending his handsome mug to the character.

Sam Lake May Have Taken a Pause Before Using His Face for Max Payne Sam Lake’s return as...

There should be little doubt in anyone’s mind that Alan Wake 2 is one of the most unique and greatest games of this console generation. Cerebral, horrific, and at times charming, there’s simply nothing quite like it in the gaming space at the moment.

Alan Wake 2 far surpasses most games in narrative, visuals, and sheer creativity, but still suffers from poor sales – Image Credit: Remedy Entertainment

That said, what’s frustrating is that, despite all the acclaim the game has received, it has only now, nearly a year after its release, managed to recoup most of its development and marketing costs. Due to this, for many people, Remedy’s future as a constant innovator in this space remains unsteady and shrouded in mystery.

Alan Wake 2 Continues to Fail at Generating Royalties for Remedy Along with blaming the Epic Games’ exclusivity deal, fans also blame the gaming community in general...

Two action-adventure video game franchises are getting live-action adaptations in the future. Per THR, the trend of video game adaptations continues as a partnership between Remedy Entertainment and Annapurna Pictures is set to produce live-action television shows and films for both the Alan Wake and Control franchises.

Hector Sanchez, president of interactive and new media at the Los Angeles-based Annapurna Entertainment spoke about the collaborative deal, saying, This deal with Remedy isnt just about adapting great games its about breaking new ground in how companies can collaborate. By backing Remedys move toward self-publishing, were putting our faith in their vision. Annapurnas founder Megan Ellison also spoke on the wide reach of the deal and the different forms of content it will produce, saying, Today people fall in love with characters and universes, not formats, and were excited to leverage Remedys beloved, immersive narratives in these new mediums.

Related Remedy Entertainment's...

Since its confirmation in 2018, fans have been anticipating the release of Alan Wake’s TV show. However, it has been six years since it was announced, and many felt like the TV series might never come to fruition. Fortunately, it has been revealed that a new TV adaptation is in the works for the series, and the hunt for the cast is already underway.

All eyes will be on the lead character, aka Alan Wake himself, and who will take on this role in the TV adaptation. Unsurprisingly, fans want to see Ilkka Villi reprise his role from the video game as he is more than capable of doing so.

There Can Be No Other Alan Wake Than Ilkka Villi Fans want to see Ilkka Villi in the TV show adaptation. Image credit: Remedy Entertainment

It goes without saying that Ilkka Villi should be the top priority when it comes to casting for TV adaptation.

If there’s one thing you can count on in the video game industry, it’s that Hideo Kojima is going to take a picture with an actor you recognize, whether you like it or not.

The most recent addition to Kojima’s never-ending collection is Nicolas Cage, who was involved in the recent movie, Longlegs. A picture of the enigmatic actor standing next to the famous creative director dropped on X/Twitter, and the internet can’t handle it.

Nicolas Cage and Kojima: Could There Be More to It?

Kojima is no stranger to teaming up with Hollywood’s finest. His previous work, Death Stranding, featured an ensemble cast including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Léa Seydoux, who were added to the game.

Most recently, he was visited by Nicolas Cage at the building for his studio, Kojima Productions, in a spot you’ll recognize from Kojima’s pictures with other celebrities.

Gamescom 2024 continues to showcase all kinds of new developments. This is one of the biggest video game events of the year, and many developers take advantage of this convention to showcase their games and other projects.

One of the new and intriguing titles presented was We Harvest Shadows, a game that offers a very unusual blend of genres like first-person horror and a farming simulator. One of the details about this project is that it even impressed the renowned Sam Lake, creator of franchises like Max Payne and Alan Wake. He discussed this title on his social media account.

We Harvest Shadows Is a Unique Offering That Blends Multiple Genres

This convention, held in Germany, usually provides a glimpse of all the games coming in the next few years. Social media overwhelmingly responded positively to this year’s convention, which presented numerous diverse titles.

We Harvest Shadows was one of the games that impressed.

Alan Wake and Max Payne are iconic video game franchises and both have originated from the creative mind of Sam Lake. Lake has established himself as one of the most respected figures in the industry, not just for these creations but also for his genuine personality.

He has recently shown once again he is a great man. In a social media post, he demonstrated admiration for another legendary creator, Hideo Kojima, by wishing him a happy birthday in a manner that only he could.

Sam Lake’s Unique Birthday Tribute to Hideo Kojima

Alan Wake‘s lead writer, Lake, took to social media to celebrate the birthday of Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding.

Related“Should’ve launched on Steam”: Alan Wake 2’s Struggles Continue as Max Payne 1 & 2 Remakes Get Another Promising Update

Lake’s birthday message was simple yet meaningful,...

Hidetaka Miyazaki is one of the most reputed names in the video game industry. Todd Howard is another such personality who has gained acclaim for his creative endeavors.

Like Miyazaki’s revolutionary work with action RPGs, Howard is best known for his work with fantasy RPGs. While there are loads of incredibly talented industry veterans, these are our eight gems who have been revolutionary with their work.

#8 Hidetaka Miyazaki Elden Ring is one of the most popular titles from Hidetaka Miyazaki. Image Credits: Bandai Namco

At this point, Hidetaka Miyazaki is a man who needs no introduction. A legend in the video game space, he has worked on several chart-buster titles. The list includes Sekiro, Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and the Dark Souls trilogy.

Every product of Miyazaki’s vision and imagination oozes excellence. He is responsible for making FromSoftware a video game studio with such prosperous brand value. The video...

The Simpsons is famously known in pop culture for its ability to predict future events and are considered one of the best animated sitcoms of our time.

Fortnite’s recent alleged collaboration with The Simpsons has left fans wanting more from it. Apart from Homer Simpson, there are many characters we would like to see included in the Simpsons bundle.

Here are 9 characters from The Simpsons we would like to see in the game.

9: Mr. Burns Mr. Burns would add real depth to Fortnite. Image Credit: The Simpsons

Mr. Charles Montgomery Burns is a recurring character in the series. He is Homer Simpson’s boss and is famously known for his evil, devious, and greedy demeanor.

He would make a great addition to the game, as it could be a great arc for Homer Simpson, who can be introduced opposite him.

8: Bart Simpson Bart Simpsons could give Fortnite an edge.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is on top of the wishlist of the gaming community and the wait is worth it. The original game was a masterpiece and was one of the most realistic-looking video games ever made and it is only prudent that expectations for the sequel are through the roof.

Guerrilla Games extended a helping hand to director Hideo Kojima and granted him access to the Decima engine. Projects that used this game engine looked stellar and with the extra horsepower packed into the PlayStation 5, the sequel could be the best the shiniest game ever made.

The Gaming Community Cannot Wait for the Visual Eye-Candy That Is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Director Hideo Kojima made the best decision for his career as a game developer by going independent and establishing Kojima Productions as an independent studio. Starting a company from scratch wasn’t easy, fortunately,...