Remedy is adopting an unrestricted strategy for the expansions of Alan Wake 2

Summer Game Fest brought exciting news with the unveiling of Night Springs, the inaugural expansion for Alan Wake 2.

Launching tomorrow, Remedy is also rolling out a photo mode alongside this DLC, and plans for a physical version of the game to be released later this year.

Although the shadow drop is unexpected, the expansion isn't. Night Springs was previously announced with another DLC, The Lake House, at the time Alan Wake 2 pre-orders were made available. This first expansion will feature three characters from Remedy's interconnected universe in stories presented as episodes from the in-game anthology series Night Springs.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz ahead of the Summer Game Fest, game director Kyle Rowley, lead writer Clay Murphy, level designer Nathalie Jankie, and communications director Thomas Puha discussed the details.

Puha explained that the timing of Night Springs' release was strategic, aiming to capitalize on the massive audience of Summer Game Fest while also benefiting fans.

"Marketing campaigns are typically shorter nowadays, and trying unconventional methods can be beneficial," he stated.

"We've always taken a very long view at Remedy. The first couple of months [are not] focused on sales; it's the next three years at least"Thomas Puha

He elaborated that together with their publisher Epic, they decided to announce the expansion just before its release to minimize the wait for fans.

Promotion for Night Springs has been brief compared to the main game, with hints on social media over the past week.

Puha noted the debate on allocating marketing budgets, emphasizing the importance of a successful launch, especially for a single-player game, which justifies significant initial expenditure.

Development of Night Springs began post-Alan Wake 2's release, though the concept existed before the game was completed.

"We always envisioned having multiple playable characters," said Rowley. "The idea of Night Springs emerged as we refined the base game concept. We set it aside initially, but resumed it after finishing the main game, adding some imaginative, unique elements."

Murphy highlighted the freeform, experimental nature of the writing process, with all departments contributing to shaping the narrative.

"The writing process was very loose and fun – no rules, no holds barred. Just pure experimentation"Clay Murphy

This collaborative approach aimed to make the expansion engaging and unusual, with ideas coming from across the team.

"Everyone got deeply involved and energized," Jankie commented. "It was exciting to see how every department participated."

Rowley described the project as a refreshing change after years of working on a horror game.

"After five years in The Dark Place, we wanted something more open-ended," he said. "The goal was to see if we could make it crazier, and this approach was a refreshing change."

Developing expansions like Night Springs involves a gamble, as not all players of the base game may opt for it. Puha emphasized being realistic about expectations, market data, and understanding the audience for such expansions.

He noted the sustained positive reception of Alan Wake 2, bolstered by the new game plus mode release, patches, developer streams, behind-the-scenes content, and fan interactions.

"The feedback was phenomenal," Puha said. "Shipping Alan Wake 2 was challenging, but we always had plans for post-launch content, including this expansion, photo mode, and more."

He added that Remedy maintains a long-term perspective, focusing beyond the initial months post-launch, looking ahead to the next several years.

"Ongoing efforts will hopefully keep the game in the public eye. The game's reception has been incredibly positive," he said.

Jankie reflected on the enthusiasm and motivation from the game's reception, expressing gratitude and excitement for future developments.