Why Alan Wake 2's Digital-Only Release Could Be a Game-Changer

The upcoming game Alan Wake 2, sequel to Remedy's acclaimed action-adventure meets horror title, was recently featured at the PlayStation Showcase. Players were given a glimpse into what they can expect from the game, which features author Alan Wake as the titular character, but also includes new playable characters. The game promises to lean harder into its horror side than its predecessor, but one aspect that might not sit well with fans is the digital-only release across both PC and consoles. This trend has caused some resistance among gamers due to issues such as digital game purchases having an expiration date and the possibility of games being pulled from storefronts for various reasons. Despite these potential issues, there are undeniable benefits to digital-only releases, and it seems that Alan Wake 2 is taking advantage of them while also being aware of the problems it might face.

Alan Wake 2's Pricing Shows the Appeal of Digital-Only Releases

While the digital-only release of Alan Wake 2 may cause some concern among fans, the game will be available at a lower price point than most major titles in the current generation. The PC version will be priced at $49.99 / €49.99, while the console version will cost $59.99 / €59.99, making it $10/€10 cheaper than most new games. Remedy Entertainment cites the rise of digital-only consoles, such as the PS5's Digital Edition and the Xbox Series S, as well as the benefits of a more affordable retail price for consumers, as the reasons behind their decision to go digital-only.

Another contributing factor to this decision could be the partnership between Remedy Entertainment and publisher Epic Games. While Alan Wake Remastered received a physical release, the upcoming Alan Wake 2 will not follow the same route. This could be due to the underwhelming sales figures of the remastered version and Remedy's desire to reduce production costs for Alan Wake 2, in order to maximize profits from their 50/50 profit split with Epic Games.

Alan Wake 2's Digital-Only Release Could Doom it to Repeat One Mistake from the Original

While a lower launch price for Alan Wake 2 may be appealing to some gamers, those who are concerned about digital exclusivity are aware of the potential risks. The original game faced its own set of issues in 2017 when it was removed from digital stores due to expired music licenses. Alan Wake was ultimately restored to these stores in 2018 after the rights were renegotiated, but it was unavailable for purchase for nearly 17 months. With Alan Wake 2 set to have a digital-only release, a similar problem could arise in the future, leaving the game inaccessible to potential players if the studio fails to renew its copyrighted music licenses. Remedy must balance the benefits of a cheaper digital release with the risks of the game becoming unavailable indefinitely.

Alan Wake 2 releases on October 17 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.