The Real Horror Story About Sam Lake’s Sequel is its Financial Update Even After The Lake House DLC

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.

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

Despite all its strengths as a video game, Alan Wake 2 has struggled to secure the sales it needs to justify Epic Games’ steep budget. Earlier this year, when Remedy first released its half-yearly report, the company revealed that only then, almost a year after its release was the game able to break even in sales and had yet to generate any royalties.

Now, it appears that, even after the release of the game’s second and final DLC, it is still struggling to turn a penny for Remedy at the moment. If we’re being honest about it, though, it is both the studio’s fault and not the studio’s.

Released exclusively on the Epic Games Store for PC, the game automatically limited its reach by missing out on the Steam audience—the largest PC player base worldwide. The sad reality is that people simply don’t use EGS unless they’ve received a free game on it.

We don’t completely blame Remedy for falling for this, but while this exclusivity deal might have seemed like a safe bet to help secure funding, in hindsight, it’s likely one of the major reasons the game’s sales remain, well, haunted.

Even the release of The Lake House DLC and the first batch of the game’s physical console copies, which typically revitalize interest, doesn’t seem to have pushed it over to the side of profitability.

Then again, it’s worth noting that Alan Wake 2 isn’t the first Remedy title to dance on the line of profitability. Control had a similar journey, requiring a lot of time in the public eye before it eventually proved successful with multiple editions and platform releases. So, with AW2, it seems history could repeat itself—just with a few extra hurdles this time around.

Remedy will most likely stay afloat, even with Alan Wake 2’s low profitability

So, where does Alan Wake 2 go from here? To state the obvious, it needs a Steam release and fast. People have voiced their frustrations over the Epic Games Store exclusivity, arguing that a broader PC launch could have boosted sales, and in our opinion, it’s been enough time for the game to remain a storefront exclusive.

Just imagine if Alan Wake 2 had arrived on Steam last month during the Halloween sale—instant boost, right? It’s still the time of the holidays, so we’d argue that it isn’t too late still.

Putting that out of the way, though, we’re somewhat thankful that Remedy hasn’t put all its eggs in its creepy, flashlight-lit basket that is AW2. While this game was always a financial risk, given its artsy nature, Remedy is also working on expanding its portfolio.

For instance, the Max Payne 1&2 remakes have already entered total production, and the sequel to Control is nearing the end of its development, with the aim of a 2025 release.

Most importantly, FBC: Firebreak is also on its way to us, and considering how bonkers it looks, Remedy might have an easy time entering the multiplayer market and having the game cushion them financially.

All that is to say, while it is undoubtedly a massive bummer that Alan Wake 2 has struggled the way it has, at the very least, Remedy Entertainment is not going away any time soon. Given that it’s the only AAA company that dares to take creative risks with its IPs, we’re all the happier for it.

But with that said, what are your thoughts on Alan Wake 2’s sales struggles? Do you think the game can still turn a profit by arriving on Steam? Let us know in the comments below!