Unveiling Remedy's Upcoming Game Lineup: Beyond Alan Wake 2

Alan Wake 2 is set to launch this week, a project that was once deemed impossible. After a 13-year wait, fans are eager to experience this highly anticipated sequel. However, Alan Wake 2 is just a small part of Remedy's larger plan for upcoming games. In the past, Remedy was known for taking long intervals between releases, but since 2016, they have accelerated their production, with four console games already under their belt and a fifth on the horizon alongside Alan Wake 2.

In addition to this, Remedy has a multitude of projects currently in development. They are committed to delivering more games at a faster pace. These upcoming projects are potentially part of the Remedy Connected Universe, meaning the events of Alan Wake 2 could have an impact on these future storylines. We have gathered all the details about Remedy's current endeavors and even explored some theories concerning one specific project.

Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes

Rockstar and Remedy have maintained a close relationship since their collaboration on Max Payne in 2001 and its sequel, Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne in 2003. Now, in an era of ground-up video game remakes, Remedy has been entrusted with the revival of the Max Payne franchise. These games will be released as a single title, allowing players to experience both stories with one purchase.

For those unfamiliar, Max Payne is a series of third-person shooter games set in New York City, heavily influenced by neo-noir and hard-boiled crime fiction. The character of Max Payne went on to inspire the protagonist of Alan Wake's novels, Alex Casey, in a distinct fictional universe. Additionally, Rockstar independently developed and released Max Payne 3 in 2012, serving as Payne's final chapter.

Remedy was the one who actively pursued the assignment for the Max Payne game remake, according to Rockstar. Sam Houser, the founder of Rockstar Games, expressed his excitement about being approached by Remedy, praising their past work and expressing eagerness to play the new versions. These remakes will be developed using Remedy's exclusive Northlight Engine, which was previously used for Quantum Break, Control, and Alan Wake 2. Although no specific release date has been announced, the remakes are intended for release on the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.

Is it in the Remedy Connected Universe?

No, not really. But we enjoy having a good time, don't we?

Control 2

The direct sequel to the 2019 Game of the Year winner, which happens to be Remedy's first direct sequel since this year's Alan Wake 2, is on its way. (Let's hope that Control fans won't have to wait for 13 years for the next installment.) Control 2 will be published by 505 Games, just like the original, and it's crucial to note that Remedy will still retain ownership of the IP. This is a significant aspect as the studio continues to expand its interconnected storyline universe.

It is presumed that Jesse Faden will once again be the protagonist in Control 2, serving as the acting director of the Federal Bureau of Control and possessing exceptional parautilitarian abilities. In the original game, Control, the entire story unfolded within the ever-changing confines of The Oldest House, an architecturally intriguing and enigmatic building that showcased Remedy's innovative level design. It remains uncertain whether the sequel will exclusively take place within this setting. While a new environment would introduce excitement, The Oldest House's unpredictability already offers ample opportunities for diverse experiences.

Remedy announced that Control 2 will enjoy a larger budget compared to the first game, likely resulting from the overwhelming success it achieved, earning more than 20 Game of the Year awards. Curiously, the announcement for Control 2 only mentions availability on "PC and consoles," lacking the specific platforms mentioned for other projects. This could indicate that Control 2 is further away from its release date.

Is it in the Remedy Connected Universe?

Certainly, without a doubt.

The wait for Jesse Faden's return may not be as long as 13 years after all.

Condor (working title)

While Remedy Entertainment is renowned for its captivating single-player narrative-driven games, they are venturing into uncharted territory with a project codenamed Condor. This newly unveiled endeavor is none other than a multiplayer spin-off of the critically acclaimed game Control. Embracing a four-player player versus environment (PvE) experience, this thrilling undertaking will be published by 505 Games, maintaining the same partnership seen in previous Control titles. In line with their upcoming ventures, it is being meticulously crafted on the powerful Northlight Engine, enabling its release on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.

In line with typical multiplayer games, it appears that part of Condor's strategy is to retain and attract players by incorporating live-service elements. This is suggested by a statement from the parent company of 505 Games (with our emphasis added): "We are excited to continue and further expand our collaboration with Remedy. With over 2 million copies sold and revenue exceeding EUR 70 million, Control is an extremely successful game," stated Rami and Raffi Galante, co-CEOs of Digital Bros Group. They added, "As a multiplayer game, Condor has the potential to engage the gaming community in the long run, contributing to 505 Games’ product revenue stream longer than traditional games."

While the story was the highlight for many players in Control, the inventive combat also received praise from players and critics. The combat allowed players to possess supernatural abilities and use a shape-shifting gun that could adapt to various situations. This strong foundation seems to lend itself well to at least the core concept of Condor. Personally, I am curious to see how Remedy will incorporate a multiplayer experience, which will likely still include additional narrative elements to explore.

Is it in the Remedy Connected Universe?

It sure is.

Vanguard (working title)

The codename for Remedy's newly announced game, Vanguard, proves to be the most challenging to decipher from the lineup of games. Unlike Condor, Vanguard is not just a working title but signifies a team of experienced developers from around the globe, as mentioned in a press release. This tightknit and dynamic team is set to create a brand new live-service game for Remedy. Interestingly, Vanguard stands out as the only game in the list that is not being developed using Remedy's in-house engine.

However, perhaps the most intriguing project is the one teased in Control's "AWE" DLC. This DLC primarily centered around Alan Wake but also included a few unclear clues that seemed to be connected in their own peculiar way. Special thanks to the helpful individuals on Remedy-related message boards, particularly Sir Galehaut, for assisting me in deciphering some of the information, as it can be quite overwhelming.

Throughout the "AWE" DLC, any documents unrelated to Wake frequently mentioned the words Bless, Blessed, or the Blessed Organization. Initially, the name Bless appears in line with Remedy's typical wordplay or thematically significant names, such as Alan Wake, Paul Serene, Beth Wilder, and so forth. However, what makes the Blessed Organization even more intriguing is its nature. By piecing together the scattered dots left in the DLC, it seems that the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) believes this group to be a parautilitarian terrorist organization. Essentially, individuals within the Blessed Organization possess the ability to create Objects of Power (hence the term "blessing" them), which, if misused in their hands, could have grave consequences for the ordinary world.

According to the documents, the symbol of two overlapping circles is believed to be their signature. This symbol can also be found on the doors of the Oceanview Motel, which I have previously mentioned as a possibly significant location across various Remedy-connected worlds. In the files of the Control game, this symbol is linked to the word Vanguard, as stated in a 2020 post on the Control subreddit. Additionally, there are other doors in this area that are explicitly connected to Alan Wake and Control 2. If each door represents a different RCU project, which I strongly believe is the case, then the plot of this Blessed Organization may be intertwined with the multiplayer game currently being developed by Remedy. This would also connect it to the RCU, as the Federal Bureau of Control was investigating both this group and Alan Wake's disappearance. It is worth noting that there are numerous connections to Control, which make it highly unlikely for this to be a Control multiplayer spin-off. Instead, it appears to be a separate multiplayer game. Unfortunately, the file codenames strongly support this conclusion.

It is unclear why this game is not being developed using the Northlight engine like the team's other multiplayer game. However, it is evident that there is a strong connection to the RCU regardless. Therefore, it is highly likely that the Blessed Organization will play a significant role in a future Remedy game.

Is it in the Remedy Connected Universe?

Indeed, it certainly appears that way. The current lineup of Remedy games encompasses a diverse range. This collection comprises of a pair of remakes, a direct sequel, a multiplayer spin-off, and what seems to be a new intellectual property. However, it is worth noting that this new creation still appears to have strong ties to the Remedy Connected Universe. Delve deep into the secrets concealed within these games, particularly within Alan Wake 2, as Remedy is sure to have hidden away numerous surprises for us to uncover.

Alan's ongoing battle to escape the Dark Place continues on October 27. With our comprehensive coverage of the game thus far, be sure not to overlook our in-depth analysis of the latest trailer, our exploration of seven unresolved enigmas the sequel may unravel, our examination of how the horror follow-up integrates into the Remedy Connected Universe, and our discussion on the presence of Max Payne within the game, in a way. Additionally, to delve further into Remedy's insights, you can find the creative director Sam Lake's thoughts on finally bringing Alan Wake 2 to life and his unique approach to addressing mysteries through his writing.