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Despite a minor 10-day delay, Alan Wake 2 remains amidst fierce competition in October's jam-packed video game release schedule, raising questions about its potential success
Highlights
2023 has been a big year for video games, and Alan Wake 2 is one of many highly anticipated releases.
Remedy Entertainment, the game's developer, has opted to postpone the release of Alan Wake 2 in order to steer clear of competing with other major titles slated for October. Although this delay affords the game some much-needed space, it remains challenged by rival games that are also launching during that period. Given that players might still be engrossed in substantial games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 by October 27, investing heavily in other titles could potentially decrease their inclination to purchase Alan Wake 2.
2023 has undoubtedly been a remarkable year for the video game industry, with every month unveiling a Game of the Year contender. The intensity of this competition has only escalated during the Summer, with acclaimed releases such as Hogwarts Legacy, Dead Space, Resident Evil 4, Diablo 4, Street Fighter 6, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and most recently, Baldur's Gate 3. Each of these games has received well-deserved praise and recognition. However, the year is far from over, as October promises to bring forth even more contenders, including the highly anticipated Alan Wake 2.
Ever since its first gameplay demonstration at the Summer Game Fest, Alan Wake 2 has been the subject of much discussion and anticipation. This highly awaited sequel to the cult-favorite psychological thriller from 2010 is a testament to Remedy Entertainment's dedication and passion. Recognizing the significance of reaching a wide audience, the developer has recently announced a slight delay for Alan Wake 2. While a wise decision, this delay does not guarantee the success of the sequel.
Alan Wake 2's Delay Still Doesn't Guarantee Its Success
Alan Wake 2 was initially scheduled to come out on October 17, 2023. When this release date was first announced in May, it looked like a good choice since October seemed to have few other major releases. However, as the months went by, October 2023 became increasingly crowded with other highly anticipated games. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 confirmed its release date for October 20, just shortly after Alan Wake 2's planned date. Nintendo also joined the competition with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, also releasing on October 20. And that's just the tip of the iceberg; there are several other big titles scheduled for October.
With new releases like Detective Pikachu, Forza Motorsport, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and The Lords of the Fallen all set to launch in the first half of October, it seemed likely that gamers would have already spent all their money by the time Alan Wake 2 arrived. And if those games weren't enticing enough, the releases of Spider-Man 2 and Mario Bros. Wonder just a few days after Alan Wake 2 would surely make gamers save their money for those titles instead. However, Remedy, the developer of Alan Wake 2, has wisely decided to give everyone some breathing room.
Alan Wake 2 has recently been announced to have a new release date of October 27, 2023, which is 10 days after its original release date. Remedy, in their announcement, mentioned that the crowded schedule in October was the reason for the delay, hoping to provide more opportunity for players to enjoy their favorite games. This decision positions Alan Wake 2 after the initial wave of October releases, including Spider-Man 2 and Mario Bros. Wonder, allowing fans of those games ample time to indulge in those experiences before trying out Alan Wake 2. The new release date also aligns with Halloween and the spooky season, offering a strategic marketing opportunity for the survival horror game.
However, while Remedy made the right choice, it doesn't mean that Alan Wake 2 is completely free from challenges. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is expected to be a highly popular game, and while some fans may have finished it by the first week, many others may not be ready to switch to Alan Wake 2 on October 27. Furthermore, several other games, such as Cities Skylines 2, Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, and Alone in the Dark, are scheduled to release just before Alan Wake 2's new date. Even though the new release date gives Alan Wake 2 more breathing room, it will still face competition and share the spotlight with these other titles.
Alan Wake 2 releases October 27, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
