Alan Wake Explained - Who is Mr. Scratch? (Analysis)

Hello everyone & welcome back to the latest video in my attempts to explain the Remedy Universe. In today's Video we will be taking a look at Alan Wake's American Nightmare and the primary antagonist, Mr. Scratch.
Created by Thomas Zane, Mr. Scratch was intended to replace Alan in the Real World after he dived into Cauldron Lake. Something happened, however, and a Demon was released instead.
Throughout American Nightmare, Mr. Scratch psychologically Tortured Alan and went on a Grindhouse style killing spree. Who or What exactly is this Demon though? Let's do some research and find out!
Please feel free to have free discussion in the comments section below regarding The Dark Place.
Music:
Alan Wake OST: On the Run - Petri Alanko
Alan Wake OST: The Well-Lit Room - Petri Alanko
Alan Wake OST: A Writer's Dream - Petri Alanko
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#ControlRemedy #AlanWake #GamingUniversity

[@henryrothert6160]

Mr. Scratch didn’t die in American Nightmare. In Control, Alice Wake reports being haunted by a demonic version of Alan five years after American nightmare happened.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Absolutely right. This was released before AWE so I didnt have that info but I didn't believe that entity was entirely gone. As I mentioned at the end, Scratch was beaten in this self contained story but the essence of what he is may still remain.

[@TaTuSpartan]

turns out, he did!

[@mrsardonicus513]

Nope nope nope. Scratch is toast and never comes back - including in Alan Wake II. Hes not in it, because he was destroyed. It was Alan the entire time - including when Alice saw visions of him that were demonic and angry. He was simply possessed at those times.

[@henryrothert6160]

@@mrsardonicus513 I would hide your comment under a spoiler tag, that's a pretty big spoiler for the end of AW2.

[@Herrscher-of-Autism]

​@@henryrothert6160Either way, somewhat of a poorly aged comment

[@KrakenFoot]

These are criminally underrated

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@shoesncheese]

Love you for your commitment to scratching out every "Mr. Scratch" when talking about the character.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I wouldn't do it any other way! Thank you for noticing that little detail.

[@Johnston212]

Is this how it is done in the game? It gets old fast.

[@Herrscher-of-Autism]

He missed one at 3:56

[@TheDreadedZero]

I don’t get it

[@mateohodge6998]

​@@Herrscher-of-Autismhe still gets an E for effort

[@zamsparkle6883]

The static whenever mentioning Mr Scratch is a really nice touch. Keeps the character intact

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much for understanding and appreciating the detail. It only seems fitting.

[@TallPoppyMedia]

I'm not sure Mr. Scratch was created by Zane so much as he simply knew the laws dictating the dark place and its interactions with our world, and thus was in a position to explain what he was when Alan first sees him. As for his creation, I tend to take it in a metaphorical sense. If you view the lake as an embodiment of the Dark Place, its surface is like a mirror. The closer you get to that surface, the closer a dark reflection of yourself also draws to the surface, until the two essentially cross over into each others' realms. In that sense, Mr. Scratch's creation was a balancing act dictated by the same laws that governed Alan having to stay so that Alice could leave. There are strong indications that Alan harbors some substantial self-delusions about his nature and dark side when he enters the Dark Place and makes his final pact, and we see him finally reconcile those in the two DLC episodes. In a sense, while Mr. Scratch is definitely an exaggeration of his negative traits, I think he's more a reflection of the Alan that used to be. The one who emerges as the Champion of Light is a novel reinvention that only existed in Alice's idealised view of him in the early stages of his relationship. So what we see in American Nightmare is the man choosing to embody one of the two archetypes that had grown around him. In the end, it's an apotheosis into a better version of himself than he ever was before.

[@ChristianProtossDragoon]

Exactly.

[@miracon000fez]

That is stop on

[@jeremyallen5974]

I wouldn't say her take on him was 'idealized' so much as it was 'unbiased'

[@retropulse03]

You know, I've spent 10 years not understanding wtf was going on with Mr. Scratch lol. You clarifying that he was a creation of Thomas Zane, corrupted by urban legend and invaded by an entity of the darkness makes so so so much more sense. AWE can't come soon enough, I'm so ready for this story to continue.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Same here! I'm so hyped for the next DLC. I'm considering upgrading my internet to livestream it. Not sure.

[@retropulse03]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I had to completely start Control over from the beginning, so I'm trying to catch up. (I had 100% up through Foundation :( ) Plus I've been replaying Alan Wake anyway... so it's frustrating but It's putting me so very much in the mood. You're stellar videos aren't helping my patience either hahaha.

[@sal4731]

Remember essej, the mirror version of Jesse who is like the evil version of Jesse, Mr. scratch is also the evil version of Alan wake, is there any relation between the creation of these two doppelgängers?!??

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thematically I'd say yes. In Address Unknown within Max Payne 2 the was also John Mirra who was the dark reflection of the protagonist John in that TV show. Mirror reflections are a big thing throughout the Remedy gameography. After all, Mirrors are more fun than Television.

[@HovektheArtist]

Fun fact when jesse asks essej who she is essej says "you but wilder" though its reversed This could either hint at her being a more free versionnof jesse like other dopplegangers, a nod at the fact that the actress for jesse was also beth wilder in quantum break. Or maybe even both

[@iliaszholdasov]

that's a damn good analysis I never really understood Mr. Scratch, (maybe in part because I haven't played Signal and Writer DLCs), and this video clears it up beautifully

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thanks buddy! I hope we see more of him in the future.

[@Braveindian4]

The DLCs are so good. Play them! I love how they ended.

[@yellowbat79]

Amazing video, I never took into account the effects of Alice's documentary into account, always kinda thought of it as a portal Alan could use to get back from the dark place

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is what the story tried to say it was up until the end where the narrator questioned whether it really happened. Then in Control he mentioned being lost in a fantasy of his escape. The Bureau kept an eye on alice after. I hope we see her again. She never received enough screen time and most of her characterization was done off screen.

[@Szmajdzik]

Masterfully done. One of my biggest questions about AW answered a decade after (in which thankfuly Control helped) and I thank you for that. I thought the only way to know the answer is trough sequel but you presented it so well that it`s hard to ignore. Still many uknown things that leads to my my biggest game dream: Alan Wake 2.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I am going to fanboy so hard when Alan Wake 2 finally gets released. But for now the AWE dlc will scratch that itch. No pun intended. Sam already confirmed it will deal with the Bureau's investigation of the Bright Falls AWE. And I'm glad I could help. American Nightmare is definately one of those stories that's weird in terms of fully understanding the narrative.

[@robertosullivan8875]

I'm hoping this hypothetical also involves Control and Quantum Break.

[@jakemagulick7006]

Oh, it's happening buddy

[@GalakStari]

I’m so happy that Alan Wake is finally getting a sequel (other than American Nightmare, of course). I hope Alan gets the happy ending he deserves.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm still nervous that they won't give Alan a 100% happy ending. More bittersweet.

[@the3xtremest37]

Or not an exact happy ending

[@GalakStari]

@@the3xtremest37Well it could’ve been worse. I’m glad he’s not the only one.

[@KeithStreetman]

Watching these between play sessions of Alan Wake 2. Thanks. Thanks so much

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it dude! Its interesting to see where my theories will land after I finish the game

[@FalseKings]

Sir I don't think the FBC appreciates you revealing their classified data. Jokes aside, thats such an amazing analysis. Alan Wake is still to this day one of my favorite games and Mr. Scratch is such a fascinating character. I still hope to see more of him. Remedy, give us alan wake 2 already please haha

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Shoot I should have redacted more than Entity-A-035s name. I'm in trouble now! I completely agree. Alan Wake shaped so much of who I am it's nuts. I have a feeling that after the AWE dlc in Control, Alan Wake 2 is right around the corner.

[@FalseKings]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Alan Wake at this point should be considered a religion instead of a game lol I grew up playing it and when the AWE dlc in Control came out I just felt like i was my fourteen years old self again, i had never been more excited for a DLC in my life. The ending of the dlc is such a tease and it does scream "alan wake 2 is coming". I hope it doesnt take too long :') In the meantime, i'll be here binge-watching your videos because they are amazing. Keep it up with the great work!!

[@jeremyallen5974]

What are they going to do, lock him u-

[@jonathonpolk3592]

Your question about the power of collective belief is interesting. It reminds me of the questions posed in season 2 of Legion, when the narrator addresses mass delusions and asks how much that we assume to be true about reality could really be a delusion caused by someone else's thoughts, behaviors, or beliefs.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

There is no real way of knowing at the end if the day. That is why some call it a "Consensus Reality" There are still some south american tribes that are so far removed from the modern era that they refuse to believe airplanes are real even when they see them.

[@elessal]

Alan wake is my religion.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It's incredible how much interesting topics the writers managed to get into this story. I love it!

[@TheSantaCruzJokerShow]

Oh boy have I ever had people make rumors about me, and people that treat me differently because of them, even if there is literally zero evidence of it, even the idea makes them skittish

[@cregerbot8217]

Ayyy, another one!! Gonna watch this one on the TV, but can't wait!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha enjoying on the big screen. Enjoy!

[@AbbyAbby69]

Should have released the AW2 scrapped content as dlc 5 years ago >.< , Although judging by the twitter updates they still care a lot about this game. And American Nightmare is supposed to give Alan a happy ending, and I prefer happy endings myself, so as far as me goes, mr Wake happy with alice is canon.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm waiting for the AWE dlc to see where they go with his story. I'm personally concerned that the happy ending was just a dream. In Control, Alan mentions he can never be sure he really escaped or was just lost in the fantasy of it.

[@alexanderforrest1983]

Gaming University the way I think we could get him to escape is with AW2. The way I think it could be done and make it a fun game would be first half is him in the darkness working to escape and when he gets return going he uses it to escape, but into Brightfalls during the time period of the first game. You have to do actions to help the Alan from that time indirectly and work to the end. At the end you knock out that Alan and use the clicker, creating a paradox to trap the darkness and allow that Alan to be in the real world with Alice while the future Alan craves to exist or remains trapped in the paradox. But the darkness is trapped too. So it’s a bitter sweet ending

[@IGNACIORIGINAL]

It's a shame they completely changed mr scratch in alan wake 2, they made him like a simple taken instead of this extravagant psychopath...

[@robert779]

Yes, the new Scratch was a huge let-down after the great video segments in AN.

[@schemar17]

It's cause mr scratch died, the one in alan wake 2 is the dark presence itself

[@janocronismo]

Well... Damn. Damn nice job here! Great video.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Haha thank you!

[@carso1500]

"the only question left is, did the events of american nightmare really happen, or, was it only the writers fantastical dream" Is there any diference

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Within The Dark Place they are one and the same. Sometimes the perception is if it didn't happen in the real world it didnt really happen. Frankly I believe everything that happens in this threshold should be considered real. Even if it is only a crafted dream.

[@SonnyFRST]

3:57 I guess even the editors got tired of the scratch noise gimmick...

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think that one got missed by accident lol. Considering the game itself does this to the name it was a fun little gimmick to include

[@rasmusdegn9690]

Probably not relevant due to American Nightmare being after the main game but Mr. Scratch's title of "Herald" to me also has the layer of Mr. Scratch representing or heralding what Alan could/can become if he didn't/doesn't get his mind back together and succumbs to his flaws.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

This character definitely can be interpreted in what Alan could be if he was let off the leash. Pure ID possession.

[@rasmusdegn9690]

@@GamingUniversityUoG A herald of Alan's personal darkness if you will.

[@bludhuuntr4946]

I'm going back and watching all these in order and I'm learning so much about things I was stuck thinking about for days without anyone to talk about it with. I love these. But now that ive played control I think I remember something about the FBC bringing alice in for questions and she talks about how she sees someone that looks like Alan at the end of hallways and alleys and he starts running at her with a murderous intent. I wonder exactly when that happens in relation to American Nightmare(which I say is canon. The things that happen feel to....important to the themes and the ending of Alan wake.)

[@KH0LRA]

Love this cohesive af video! I'm new to the series and I'm glad there's still pretty recent videos about it :))) i'm just hella obsessed over Alan Wake and Max Payne rn my poor rig can't run control tho so i avoided the parts where u talk about it, i hope to play it one day!! ;))

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Welcome to the community! I hope you get a new system soon so you can enjoy how amazing Control is.

[@soulreaver1983]

Outstanding video many thanks

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it dude!

[@soulreaver1983]

@@GamingUniversityUoG 🙂👍🏻

[@GalakStari]

The ending of the first game implies Nightingale is the new avatar for the Dark Presence, since he’s hiding in the shadows behind Rose (who in turn seems to becoming the new Lady of Light). As for Mr. Scratch, I have 2 theories: 1. Both Mr. Scratch and Nightingale are the lieutenants of the Dark Presence, but have different roles. Mr. Scratch is the one out in the open, or the ‘public’ face, while Nightingale is kept in the shadows, for whatever reason. 2. Mr. Scratch rebelled against the Dark Presence (or maybe never served it to begin with), and is now just off doing his own thing. As for why he’s called the ‘Herald’, maybe that’s just a title he wanted to brand himself with, to deceive Alan into thinking he’s aligned with the Dark Presence, but then again, maybe not lol.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I see scratch in two ways. An amalgamation of all the dark stories told about Alan and given flesh. Secondly, the game states this 'Herald' arrives one of the powers that reside in the Dark Place. So it is confirmed he is a lieutenant in some form.

[@GalakStari]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Ahh that makes sense. I was leaning towards theory number 1 anyway, but like you said in the video, he could be serving another entity.

[@LukasTaves]

Great video! Though I think Zane at least partially knew about what Scratch would become, in one of the DLCs (played too long ago, but I think it was the writer) there's an exchange where Alan confronts Zane about Scratch and he acts like busted and never replies

[@skybuilder23]

That was AWE, and that was the filmmaker, not the poet. There are so many layers that it's hard to say what anything is.

[@dmitripopov8570]

Great explanation! Very interesting, educational and thought provoking! Thank you! Your stories are great for Halloween season!!!

[@batmanvsuperman_]

Based on this video + zero knowledge on Alan Wake 2 = i theorize Alex Casey will be the new Herald of Darkness.

[@henryrothert6160]

When did that cutscene you showed where Zane creates Mr. Scratch happen? I’ve played through the whole game, as well as the special episodes, and I have no recollection of that cutscene at all.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It occurred in the last chapter of the game when Alan was trapped in his Apartment with the shadow version of Alice. When Zane comes to help him out that scene plays.

[@METAL-ADDICT]

I only recently delve into the lore of Alan Wake. I wanted to understand what I was playing and understand what in the hell was going on. I was in WAY over my head. With the connections to the game Control and Max Payne(Alex Casey) I was so confused. I'm on Alan Wake 2 now and I still can't fully grasp the story. Sucks because I'm loving everything about it but I find it hard to comprehend if it's the real world or the dark place etc...lol

[@WSGtr12]

Now we just need Alan Wake 2.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The AWE expansion for control teases Alan Wake 2 for 2022

[@GalakStari]

Boy have I got news for you.

[@ubx9563]

Really excellent analysis video.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@richmcgee434]

What, no mention of the fact that another common name for Old Scratch is Old Nick, or Nick Scratch? Both of which are wordplay - a "nick" being another term for "scratch" after all. You can practically play the MST3K "Lance Beefchunk" game with all the variations of "scratch" out there. Scruff McGouge is my favorite.

[@arriagalopezcristian352]

I love your videos, thanks for all. Saludos de México❤️

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! You're very welcome. Saludos Amigo!

[@Kaden10]

My interpretation of Scratch's defeat in American Nightmare was that Alan destroyed his physical form, and that's why he's just a smokey cloud of pure darkness in Alan Wake 2.

[@MCSaeid]

Amazing, as always.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thanks!

[@microbark9756]

I wonder what entity he served?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

We really only have two options. The Dark Presence or another unknown entity. Really hard to say.

[@COSMIC_ZA]

"A return" -Alan Wake AWE DLC

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It was so good to see Alan in the dlc.

[@noventaporcento]

Great video!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much!

[@Braveindian4]

So good so good!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thanks buddy! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Hilljoona]

Nice theory then came Alan Wake 2

[@ThePackRatToy]

Awesome video. Just one question. What is the name of the tune being played during your credits. It sounds so familiar, yet I cannot place it.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That would be Frog's Theme from Chrono Trigger

[@ThePackRatToy]

@@GamingUniversityUoG OMG, of course it is. I can't believe I couldn't remember that.

[@MindfulComms]

I love Scratch as a villain ❤ and really hope to see him as a playable DLC skin in dead by daylight

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Imagine if they added Wake as a survivor but Scratch as a killer at the same time.

[@MindfulComms]

@@GamingUniversityUoG omg that is genius yasss 😊

[@leejack5172]

the most scary thing come from inside(the heart), not from outside. the most brutal force never threaten you physically, it will destroy your heart from the very beginning. it is to say, you live your day in the sunshine, but every demon wear their mask and play with you nicely. yes, brain wash is much much more scary than gun fire and troops. i wish one day computer game won't rely on shooting and killing but reveal more true face of our life everyday, when that day come, it will become a new form of true art!

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Action Daemon sounds like the title of some cheesy indie platformer. Or a rock band. Or a rock band who made the music for a cheesy indie platformer. Somebody make it so :) Maybe I'll help

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Let's do it!

[@jeremyallen5974]

"So it's the Latin word for 'demon'.... SO JUST FOOKIN SAY 'DEMON'!" - Tennings

[@serpenthydra]

Did you miss one? (3:57)

[@5an_6o70]

9:36 this clip was showed in the beginning of Quantum Break right?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yes that bit is from the Return trailer that Jack finds during the Riverport University protest.

[@dathip]

ALAN WAKE 2!!!!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

So freaken hyped!

[@meimei8718]

Very interesting!

[@fallyangy413]

Herald of Darkness

[@waihunglam5975]

I still do not understand why there is a need to release a Wake stunt to the reality? What is Thomas’s purpose? After played the AWE dlc, more questions have been raised! Alan spoke with Thomas in Mr Scratch form?!!!!!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It has to do with equal and opposite exchange. To keep the world balanced, if one goes in one must come out. Alan and the Dark Presence went back so that Alice could return. But it can't be two for one. So Scratch was made to balance the scales. But shit happened. In terms of Tom, we are not 100% convinced that this is the real Thomas zane.

[@waihunglam5975]

Gaming University Thanks. That makes sense. This could explain why Dr Hartman could return. One in one out, but fallen.

[@felixfarside1210]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Small problem with that equal exchange thing. When the Dark Presence took Alice in the first place, what was exchanged for her?

[@xXLunatikxXlul]

@@felixfarside1210 Fact

[@ElRyzzlife]

nicee videoooo

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad you got a kick out of it! Thanks for watching.

[@jakelloyd487]

So does this mean that the real Alan wake is back in the real world with Alice?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

No he is still in the Dark Place. My theory is this game occured in a pocket universe within the threshold. After the 'Story' was over it faded away leaving him still in his prison.

[@jakelloyd487]

@@GamingUniversityUoG is there a way for him to escape or he stuck there forever

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The ending of the AWE dlc for Control teased a possible escape. The trouble is he will need to be rescued from the outside. Any method of escape he comes up with on his own will likely end the way American Nightmare did. He got lost in the fantasy of escape but never did.

[@jakelloyd487]

@@GamingUniversityUoG thanks for replying I heard remedy’s next game is in the same universe hopefully the lady from control can save him

[@TheJoeSwanon]

@@GamingUniversityUoG damn that’s deep

[@Artur-Itas]

WOWZA!!!!!!! You Literally just took a deep psychological dive into a lake of subtext and intrigue. As a seasoned gore whore and non millennial I choose to put one lense of Twin Peaks and one lense of Silent Hill to analyze this fascinating conundrum. I think that the bucolic town is the source of the dark power and the river the portal through which the sinister forces can access the Earth. I believe they are attracted to artists because aside from being creative they can reach a large audience of individuals. I believe that The Dark Ones want to be acknowledged, feared and worshipped. This is how they want to climb the rungs of power. Escaping the dark and seeking legitimacy is their reason for being. Light is the creatures only weakness. It can kill them because they are bound to the individual, never free, not recognized. From what I can glean artists are beckoned by the Siren's call and compelled to do the bidding of the Dark Ones in a trance. I don't think of Mr. Scratch as a doppelganger or a separate entity. He does horrible things and taunts Alan but I think it is his id in it's purest form so to speak. Unleashed seeking pleasure as it's only purpose, ignoring society's protocols or conventions. When The Dark One's release the ID into the universe the subject Alan etc. is basically more prone to manipulation. Having lost his desires for the most part Alan is a automaton just writing/ creating, being a living battery for the dark ones. Alan is special in my opinion in that although he was castrated from his id, the feeling of emptiness and the beacon of love from his wife was that North Star that kept his focus on reuniting his entire being. His wife was the fly in the ointment that foiled the plot. I wouldn't say Mr. Scratch was defeated. He is the id warped as it may be. I think he was absorbed back into Alan who was made whole by his "defeat." In short The Dark One's aren't in my opine creating Invasion of the Body Snatchers, they are untethering the ID from people. In Alan they are powerful and have autonomy and sentience and a persona. In most others they are monosyllabic murderous nocturnal savages. FASCINATING DISSERTATION & THESIS!!!!!!

[@joshuaoneill3118]

Why won't you say Scratch?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Mostly because they don't ever say it in Alan Wake either. It is scratched out whenever the characters say it. The developers stated it is because the name itself cannot be pronounced by humans and Scratch is just a placeholder name.

[@Samagachi]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Kind of like “Cthulhu”

[@ChristianProtossDragoon]

He is just a dark twin or entity created by the Dark Lake. Why make a video on that when the game factually tells you that? lol

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Because there is more to the character than just the nature of its origin.

[@Elwood128]

You took a terrible game and made it something worth looking at 🤯

[@Crowley9]

What I find particularly fascinating about Mr. Scratch is the video where he's being introspective about his own existence and is trying to reach out to Alan and suggest that maybe they could work together. But the noise from the party next door keeps distracting him and eventually he goes "forget it". My read on this is that the nature of his existence is such that it actively fights back any attempt for him to try to understand himself and become anything other than a shallow malicious parody of Alan.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Like any shadow, it exists in tandem with the original person. Persona 4 really hammered that home if you've played that.

[@ДмитрийРубежов-э1б]

​@@GamingUniversityUoGExactly.

[@jakkehnp2493]

Little late here, great vid as always. Wanted to share a funny true story. Back around the same time when this came out, here in Finland, the actor who Alan Wake is modelled after, Ilkka Villi, was in a tv commercial. I can´t remember for what, but in it he was wearing a dark suit, and standing in the middle of the screen smiling. One day after I played this, when I stopped for the day and turned the tv on, there was Mr.Scratch on the screen. It was pretty surreal, and I still remember it clearly, and I haven´t played this since.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I remember that as well! Ilkka Villa had way too much fun as Mr. Scratch lol. I think he was reading fan comments about the game. He is truly a legend

[@Fragmentsinfractals488]

i think you are right about the rule of drama. Voilence and serial killings create tension and drama. Everyone wants to understand the Mystery of Alan, and feed the Darkness with Alan's face. Good work!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

At the end of the day everyone is addicted to drama in one form or another. Rumor and Gossip spread it around which only makes the Urban Legend/Mr. Scratch stronger. Thank you!

[@LionofDawn]

3:48 WRONG. If you heard the "Balance Slays The Demon" song, the lyrics say : "Like an evil twin, feel it scratching within Like an insane sovereign ranger". Get it? SCRATCHing within. No need to complicate it with mythology or etymology. The name "Mr.Scratch" comes from the fact that he Alan Wake has fantasized about some fucked up shit and has had dark thoughts before. We all have, some of us more than others, and some of us can feel that side scratching and at times clawing its way out, thinking perhaps we are going insane? Perhaps we will be happier if we let go? Get it? HAPPY? Like "the Happy song"? "Violent schizophrenia. You know I'm gonna get ya". We all come to a point in life when we might question or sanity. He is a writer after all. You could simply say that Mr. Scratch is a physical manifestation of Alan Wake's dark thoughts and fantasies as well as lies and bullshit people believed about him. Of course he could also be a herald and whatnot, but at the surface level, that is what he is.

[@Tumbledweeb]

Agreed! Alan Wake is a dick! The writers have flat-out stated this! Blaming Zane for the creation of Mr. Scratch? Um what the fuck? It's Alan that is typing up page after page about Mr. Scratch and how horrific he is! Zane has been trying to help Alan since the start, but Alan is too much of a self-centered dumbfuck to bother listening to him! Instead he yeets him out of there, then engages in fist fights with television sets, while internal monologuing about Zane being a fake friend by abandoning him in his hour of need. Fucking REALLY, Alan? Fuck you!

[@ChristianProtossDragoon]

Exactly. lol This guy overcomplicates it for no valid reasons.

[@DerAykac]

The fact that Alice made that documentary about Alan, reminds me of Karen Green making a documentary about her husband as well.

[@modelmajorpita]

While we know the happy ending of American Nightmare was just wishful thinking on Wake's part I do feel like something happened. Prior to the events of the game Mr Scratch is far more active, showing up in random places and killing strangers. After A.N. content in Control shows Mr Scratch is still active, but now he is only showing up in dreams or fleeting glimpses reported by people who have prior connection to the dark place. While Alan failed to escape, I think he did cut off Mr Scratch's ability to enter the "real world" freely. Perhaps the Mr Scratch burned away by sunrise was the physical avatar he used, but his spirit escaped to the dark place and lived on, still causing trouble and plotting.

[@jeremyallen5974]

That's exactly what happened at the end of American Nightmare, Alice's film destroyed the power his rumors held over people and he was banished from the physical world as a result

[@cregerbot8217]

Wow! This was a hell of an analysis! Thoroughly enjoyed that one. It definitely makes sense with the urban legends document from Control, and makes you wonder what other things were created from these stories, and also, does this mean the writing-to-real-life-paranatural doesn't just restrain to the Dark Presence / Place? Or is it in some way still differing from each other, like Alan's writing is more focused will the urban legends are group founded?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

It's implied there are other week spots like Cauldron Lake. But Control tried to assert that Urban Legends and collective consciousness are responsible for the creation of Objects of Power and Altered Items. So the same function that created Mr. Scratch makes the things the Bureau pursues. I wonder I'd there are other entities running around like this.

[@cregerbot8217]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I would think that there would be more of these beings. But I wonder, is all paranatural objects and beings just creations of collective conscious? Control also states that objects are also created from the binding from creatures from places like the Astral Plane. Perhaps the collective conscious activates or makes them more powerful, or things have to be just right like key words or thoughts? There's obviously a line of difference between some of these that haven't yet been explained. I wouldn't think that Ahti being the way he is is a creation of human imagination and urban legends.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I think you are right in terms of the power of collective consciousness on these items. In one of the memos they have an approved and banned words for the AWE that happened in Alaska. They couldn't say things like Scissors. I assume this is because if they use those banned words it would add more conscious energy to the thing that caused the AWE.

[@cregerbot8217]

@@GamingUniversityUoG yeah, that would make sense. Hence, Alan's words had more control over these events with a single individual of his conscious (in FBC terms, for Alan it's just a Presence that allows him to create realities through his writing). That's most plausible, but it seems for Alan's case it's different, and most likely could be said for other AWEs and objects.

[@NdNprincesZ08]

An excellent and well thought out analysis. You had my whole attention the entire video. Well done!!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[@riku528]

I can just imagine Mr. Scratch being played by Jake Gyllenhaal for some reason

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I was so confused for a bit when everyone kept referring to Jake Gyllenhaal. I'm sure Ilkka Villi will still play him if we get any life action stuff.

[@riku528]

@@GamingUniversityUoG oh most likely yea I was just expressing how if a fan casting of these games just using Hollywood actors then I could see him fitting perfectly into that role of Alan Wake and Mr. Scratch.

[@GalakStari]

@Riku I can definitely see Jake playing him!

[@watchworthy.]

Alan Wake AND this channel is criminally underrated

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much! I'm so excited for the remaster and the inevitable sequel.

[@Qeiji]

8:40 It reminds me of how many people and media has been damaged and had bad reputations because of masive spread of memes about them. Like how people think nicholas cage is a joke actor just cause of his memes, how people think jojo is a waky stupid meme and is gay and etc

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Happens quiet often unfortunately. Sensationalism sells but doesn't always reflect the truth.

[@cezarrogeriodemourafelippe1442]

Goddammit! I didn't play American Nightmare and the other two DLCs because a friend told me they had nothing to do with the main game and I believed him. Now I don't have a 360 anymore and my PC is a potato. Seeing like the Herald needs a "new body" now, I'm thinking about Dylan Faden and how he can be the ultimate link between Alan Wake and Control in the upcoming DLC

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Both the Signal/Writer and American Nightmare are worth playing! It sucks you didn't experience it way back when. While I'll admit AN was short and rehashed environments, it was a well crafted and self contained experience.

[@westdakotaofficial7940]

This is good! You should make an updated version now that AW2 is out!

[@COSMIC_ZA]

A false rumor about me? When people think i find them funny

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Now I know the truth lol

[@OopsieBoopsies]

Excellent episode for a game and series with stories on par with souls series.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I keep hearing that Soulsborne has incredible lore too. I would eventually dive into that rabbit hole.

[@OopsieBoopsies]

@@GamingUniversityUoG it does. but its no set lore its based on what you can make out for yourself. based on the descriptions of items and there placements some parts are sett but it leaves a lott for lore interpritations.

[@jeremyallen492]

@@OopsieBoopsies Sounds suspiciously like the writers just make shit up as they go and leave the fans to wrangle sense out of their incompetent world building

[@ElRyzzlife]

I have a question... bah, is more like a suggestion, would you make a analysis of silent hill 2? I really love the history of that game and i always felt that for sure there is a lot of things that i didnt cover... i would really love to see how you handle it out and interpretate all the whole story, sure you can bring a lot of light to that matter! Anyways, hope you have a great day!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm a huge fan of the Silent Hill series. It was a ritual for me and my sister to play thoss together. I'd love to dive into that series but honestly I have so many projects going right now it will be further down the line. To tide you over I'd recommend checking out Max Derrat on YT. He has a good amount of SH content that is similar to mine. You'll enjoy jt!

[@kylerockwell9573]

you should do the soulsborne series or atleast bloodborne. il sub for now see what other games you end up getting into

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I've been told to check those out too. I definitely will sooner or later. Currently I have God of War on the channel too and I am prepping for a new game series to cover as well. So non-remedy content is in the works!

[@brianoconnor9105]

Even though American Nightmare was a DLC, it was still deeply written.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Definitely structured differently but there is a lot crammed into this tiny package.

[@brianoconnor9105]

Absolutely. It managed to hit some emotions within the small time I played it. I can honestly say the same about the other DLC content.

[@RepublicTrooper125]

Well to be as vague as possible. I have way more questions now with Alan Wake 2. Lol😅

[@Norbiu10]

I might be missing something but I still don't understand why Mr.Scratch was created. Alice can only be brought back If something in exchange takes her place that is why Alan jumped into the lake no? But to my knowledge Alice never had/needed a counterpart like Alan. Infact that was the whole problem that Alice would came back as Barba If Alan just wrote her back like Zane did. So by Alan having a counterpart to me doesn't feel like an exchange(Alice for Alan). Can someone explane it to me why Mr.Scratch was created and Alice didn't get a Evil Alice in the real world while she was trapped ?

[@tomhanks1769]

Damn, that' pretty good.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mjolnir112]

Great work as always. I was surprised when I played AN how much it directly referenced the events of Alan Wake, and the detailed lore it had in the manuscripts. I was under the impression that it was just a spin-off and wasn't considered canon, which lead me to not play it for longer than I should have. Framing it as a Night Springs episode of course makes it ambiguous as to whether it 'actually happened'. Also - 10 year anniversary of Alan Wake this week! Have a feeling Remedy have got something special lined up with AWE, though don't want to get my hopes up too much of course.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Well if it helps, Sam did state during the stream on thursday as well as in an article that the AWE dlc will focus on the Bureau's interest in the Bright Falls AWE. So it can almost guarantee we will get more Alan Wake info. I will say that AN did really happen but not on a plane of existence where it really affected the outcome of things. My personal theory is that Alan's Manuscript ended up becoming Barry's Nightmare. I may do a video on this topic so I won't say more. As I wrote this I had a lot more ideas lol.

[@mjolnir112]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Yep I think we'll get a lot of reports on the main Bright Falls AWE, as well as the earlier ones. Is there anything in particular you are hoping for in this DLC?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

First and foremost to either free our boy or allow the FBC to release he needs help and end on a cliffhanger of them saying, "Let's bring Wake home."

[@mjolnir112]

@@GamingUniversityUoG Haha I thought you might say that! I agree Alan can't get out on his own so either Jesse or the FBC is going to be the external force that makes that happen. I guess it depends if the next big game they are in pre-production on now is an Alan Wake sequel or something new in the shared universe. I hope we get a hint at least.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

This August Remedy has an event planned to announce the two projects they are working on. One is within the same IP and the 2nd is a smaller one. I'm assuming maybe a remake of Alan Wake for modern generation and Control 2. Not sure. But yeah that's part of the Hero's Journey. In the Return cycle there must be 'Aid from outside'. Especially if anything Alan creates would become a false fantasy. Someone on the outside must be the one to save him otherwise it will be the ending of Inception, we will never know if he is really out or not.

[@artexjay]

your "s" sounds is deafening

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

The S when referring to Scratch? If so that is intentional

[@milliewilson1046]

But wait, in control theres paperwork on mr. Stretch being taken into the FBC

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Not that I'm aware of. The only documentation in AWE says that Alice setup cameras in her apartment when she felt something stalking her. She happened to snap a photo of him with a motion sensor. She later went in to the FBC to five them this info. Hartman was captured but that's a different entity.

[@milliewilson1046]

@@GamingUniversityUoG I'm looking for it right now. It wasnt an AWE file. But serious question, do you trust alice wake? And did you notice all the files the FBC has on her? She might be contacted to the bless organization. Her camera was from bless. In the every beginning of alan wake, she said she worked for an organization called blessed Studios. And she was the one who referred alan to Hartman and organized the vacation.

[@milliewilson1046]

@@GamingUniversityUoG awww so it might have been a heavy theory on my part. But it stemmed from the "Hartman arrest" file. In research and records. I believe one of the blocked out words were about mr stratch being taken into custody.

[@Nico18_]

Thank you🔥

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

You got it!

[@felixfarside1210]

Types of Speach? Small typo there.

[@ДмитрийРубежов-э1б]

He Is A Pretty Scarier Character.

[@KeepAnOpenMind]

Holy, why do you put this ugly sound noise whenever you spell the name of Mr. Scratch? Don't do anything like that any longer, please.