BIG Changes Happening at Remedy Games After Alan Wake 2 Failure: A Positive Sign for the Game Dev Community
Let's be clear here. Based off the actions of Remedy Entertainment over the past year or so - I don't like Remedy, and they don't like me... But that doesn't mean things can never change.
Remedy Entertainment, the now beleaguered studio behind the SMASH hit Control and Alan Wake, appears to now be undergoing some significant internal changes following the commercial failure of Alan Wake 2. An insider who I've been sworn to secrecy has tipped me off that the current corporate culture is undergoing some changes (for the better!?), and perhaps Remedy itself has a chance to survive. I've personally verified the changes happening, and hopefully, this isn't too little... too late.
For game developers and studios frustrated with the industry's increasing focus on identity politics over quality storytelling, this massive update signals to everyone that a DESPERATE course correction is already hopefully, well underway.
The Lead-Up: Sweet Baby Inc. and Remedy’s Reputation Hit
Remedy Entertainment has been swimming in a cesspool of industry positive-toxicity over the past year or so... and in doing, they've managed to enrage the very customers looking to buy their games. It hasn't been the best strategy, but thankfully, times MIGHT be changing.
For those unaware, Sam Lake, the Creative Director of Remedy Entertainment, made a donation to Trans Lifeline, an organization embroiled in controversy and scams that I'd covered in the past.
Sam Lake not only donated, but donated it to Alyssa Mercante streaming the charity being run, letting everyone know publicly that he was supporting her and her cause.
Then we have that whole thing I reported on Remedy’s Alan Wake 2 and its community manager, Vida Starčević, who infamously expressed her ...'frustrations' with influencer agencies sending her pitches featuring “wall to wall white men.” Yeah... another one of THOSE types of people. Starčević has been vocal about her strong belief in implementing racial and gender quotas.
She urged agencies to “do better” and at the same time, completely alienated most of the player base and fueled more controversy over at Remedy with her blatant racism. While as of the last check she is still employed there according to LinkedIn... One has to wonder... if the walls are closing in on these activists.
I also reported on how a ton of this controversy can be traced back to Remedy's involvement of Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting firm most of us are very familiar with these days, notorious for pushing extreme DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) narratives into games.
Their “consulting” often leaves projects burdened with debt and messaging that alienates players, and Alan Wake 2... was no exception. A year after its release, the title has yet to turn a profit, with its financial struggles overshadowing any of its potential creative achievements.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In Remedy’s Half-Year Financial Report (January–June 2024), the company stated:
"At the time of publishing this report, Alan Wake 2 has recouped most of its development and marketing expenses."
This carefully worded statement translates to one thing: Alan Wake 2 has taken a loss. Despite selling 1.3 million units by February 2024, as highlighted in their Business Review, the game has generated not positive income for Remedy. CEO Tero Virtala acknowledged that higher development fees from other projects, like the Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes, have thankfully kept the company afloat.
While Alan Wake 2 received critical praise, there's not much financial success that comes from that these days. Virtue signaling cannot be exchanged at banks for cash. It failed to connect with players who actually PURCHASE games. The disconnect here was clearly exacerbated by the game’s controversial marketing and narrative choices, rumored race-swapped protagonist, and other story directions that alienated portions of the fanbase Remedy once so effortlessly captivated.
The Wake-Up Call: Tangible Changes
In what appears to be a direct response to their financial struggles, Remedy has now quietly made changes to shift back toward prioritizing merit and talent over ideological agendas. Make no mistake - this is a massive update. Ironically, one they are trying to subtly slide by without anyone noticing.
Their job application process has been completely revamped.
Remedy’s hiring page previously required applicants to list their pronouns, including fringe options like "XE/XUR," a move many criticized by any normal, rational human being as performative virtue signaling... rather than fostering inclusivity.
Now? All mentions of pronouns have been completely removed.
The application form is refreshingly simple: upload your credentials and apply—no political statements, no distractions. NO PRONOUNS. While seemingly small, this tangible change signals to everyone that Remedy is now realizing the cost of prioritizing messaging over quality development.
Pronouns don't pay bills.
A Studio at a Crossroads
Remedy is known for crafting deeply immersive, story-driven games. Fans loved Control and its strong female protagonist—proof that Remedy can indeed create compelling, diverse narratives without pandering. However, the team stumbled badly with the direction they took Alan Wake 2, both financially and reputationally, as frustrations boiled over from divisive public comments and external influence.
Hopefully, the Alan Wake 2 debacle has served as big a wake-up call to everyone over there. Remedy can't afford to alienate gamers further, especially in a competitive market where players have been increasingly rejecting “woke” narratives and demanding quality gameplay and storytelling.
What’s Next?
While the removal of pronouns from job applications is (finally) a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen if Remedy’s hiring practices will actually reflect a genuine shift back to prioritizing talent and skill over ideological quotas. If Remedy wants to preserve its legacy and financial viability, these changes MUST continue to happen.
The studio has proven its capability to succeed in the past, and a pivot away from divisive narratives will help Remedy regain trust from its once core audience. For now, this small - but don't get it twisted - significant shift is great news for the entrie game development community and a great reminder that quality games—not agendas—are what keep studios alive.
Here’s hoping Remedy stays the course and makes the right moves going forward.
~Smash
