Alan Wake Explained - Alan's Nightmare

[This Video is not intended for Children under 13]
Welcome to Gaming University where we discuss the Philosophy and Literature present within Video Games. The goal is to use Science, History, Theology, and other disciplines in order to gain a greater understanding of the story found within the games we cherish. Video Games are a form of Literature just like Books and Film.
In today's video we will continue our Seven Part course on the classic from Remedy Entertainment, Alan Wake.
Lesson 2 of Alan Wake Explained will deal with Alan's Nightmare sequence in the prologue and discuss the Archetypes and the Unconscious Mind. The question that I seek to answer in this lesson is what clues to Alan's character does his Dream give us as the player? We will use Psychology from the Jungian school of thought and Alan's own writing's to address the question.
Free discussion is welcome in the Comments below.
I do not own the rights to the music or the Alan Wake Files presented in this video. They will be removed upon the owner's request.
Facebook: / gaminguniversity06
Twitter: / gaminguniversi6
#Alanwake #Rumination #Remedygames

[@FarronOfHouseFarron]

The idea of Alan's persona as a writer reminds me of this article I came across titled "The Layers of Alan Wake" As silly as it sounds, it was talking about his tweed jacket and how typically they're synonymous with the professor or the writer type and this being his outermost layer of clothing is what he likes to project to the world. They go further in, remarking the army jacket signifies his warrior-like nature and combat readiness beneath that persona. It's there beneath the surface and it's something that is needed in his fight to save Alice. The article goes on to remark the one section when you play as Alan in New York and how his black hoodie is just the most casual part of his attire and shows how comfortable he is around Alice, not having to project his writer persona around her all the time. Thought you'd find this interesting.

[@dr.catherineelizabethhalse1820]

The conscious mind is a lake, but one’s mind is not a lake. It’s an ocean.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is absolutely one way of looking at it. As above so below.

[@the1HLT]

This is so cool! I love how much theology, philosophy and psychology is in the Remedy games. You're doing a great job of peeling back all the layers and explaining what were seeing. Will binge all your videos today!

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's why I love Remedy so much. It's not often a game will make us stop and starting asking these kinds of deep questions. I'd they teach literature classes on Lord of the Rings and stuff in college they should teach this stuff too! Let me know how your binge goes!

[@Nico18_]

Consciousness is like a Flashlight 🔦🔥

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Absolutely! The first dlc really says it outright.

[@eireprincess]

6.1k? I know it’s not all about views, and I can tell that you love what you’re talking about but fuck, this video is extremely underrated. Thank you so much for your work.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

My absolute pleasure!

[@Voltaic_Fire]

I agree, I recommend this channel to everyone I can, particularly those who have played the Remedyverse games. Sadly it is not enough to really grow the channel.

[@amberlyveil8856]

Go read House of Leaves. It's a key inspiration for the Remedy Verse, and you come to very different understandings of each game in it

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I picked up a copy yesterday!

[@pootoori2637]

I got some heavy VaatiVidya vibes from this video. Very nice

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That is such a big compliment I can't thank you enough! With a small channel like mine that made my day.

[@MayorHairBear]

This video was well worth the wait! I was truly captivated and I cannot wait for Fate vs Destiny mate

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I really appreciate it! I'm glad you enjoyed. I'll make sure Part 3 is worth it as well.

[@p5rsona]

this channel is GOLD,

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thank you so much!

[@W4iteFlame]

Oh, it is good to learn something not only about the game

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

That's what I try to do. Get a healthy balance of game lore and other things.

[@phira360]

wow, nice analysis. this game has so many layers

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I love how they told us everything about the character we needed right at the beginning. It is only after experiencing the story in full that we realize it.

[@dennisrapp5733]

The last part about Zane being in his dream is strengthend by the DLCs where Zane also appears since it's set in a dream (or sub concious)

[@Smokethis810]

Incredible

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Thanks a bunch!

[@maxentirunos]

I love you videos, mate. Make me think of another video series here on youtube called 'Silent Hill secrets and symbolism' by Reinstall Paul. Him too is a big fan of Carl Jung, even if he lean way more in the spiritual and occult aspects of the games instead.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I've spoken with Reinstall Paul before! He does absolutely incredible work. I've considered diving into silent hill but he has them so well covered it would feel redundant

[@Ali_mm523]

Waiting to see why Heartman was stretched!

[@abcd-wg2iq]

Thank you for the analysis! Great stuff

[@meimei8718]

This is so interesting.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@jonnathanwebber5604]

Was waiting for this, great video! Have you played Control? It is very tied to Alan Wake, there are even rumors for an AW dlc.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I hope it was worth the wait! Sadly I have barely started Control. The HDMI port on my ps4 got damaged and my console is currently in the shop. I cant wait to continue! I do have another Gamer's Journal episode planned after I finish Control which discusses the connections. I loved the hint that Night Springs may have been an FBC funded TV show.

[@SplotchTheCatThing]

Dream interpretation is... an interesting idea. In my opinion at least, if you were dealing with a real life person, and wanted to go beyond the very broadest of broad strokes, you'd have to already know that person's individual subconscious well enough that you wouldn't need to analyze their dreams in the first place. Characters in a story are a very different matter, though, and I love it when writers throw in details like this. Planning to replay this game soon and I want to watch this whole playlist before I do so that I can keep your interpretations in mind, and decide as I go which of them fit my experience of the game this time around. Maybe it can help me come up with my own interpretation. :) I think an interesting element of the dream sequence -- though it doesn't necessarily reflect Alan's character as such -- is the reuse of assets from later in the game. In addition to the environment being roads and trails around Bright Falls, a place Alan hasn't yet seen for himself, the Casey/Hitchhiker is represented by a Taken, and the Tornado is represented by the Dark Presence. When you consider that the reason Thomas Zane could enter the dream is probably because he was written to be there, it shows that Alan's already being affected by the events of Departure even before he starts writing it. The light in the lighthouse going out could also foreshadow that Alice has actually taken him on vacation not to get him away from his work but to try to give him a new starting point for it -- even if you discount the idea that her inner thoughts would be intruding on his, they're a married couple who know each other intimately and it's likely he could have subconsciously picked up that she wasn't telling him everything about why she wanted to come to Bright Falls, even if he didn't consciously know. I like that interpretation because it shows that on some deep level he still knows that the way to get out from under the weight of this failing persona is not to reestablish it but to shed it, and to remind himself of who he really is under the mask. It gives him a starting point for his character development and provides some extra meaning to his writing throughout the game. Even though it's the same action he used to do out of selfishness, he's not doing it for himself anymore.

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

I am with you when it comes to Dream Interpretation. Frankly, I am always hesitant to do so. It is better to guide someone to analyze their own dreams because they know their symbols better than I do. And knowing them is a hell of a lot easier than trying to look at a stranger's dream.

[@dmitripopov8570]

Brilliant!

[@willisrose9756]

Did you know that Alan is wearing a Parka on top of his Black hoodie and beneath his Tweed Jacket?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Dude is dressed for New York blizzard weather. So many layers

[@raggsvettma]

Who is here after the remastered announcement?

[@Aymerix477]

Thank you !

[@ocieljuarez3703]

Alan is the reincarnation of Zane

[@Mizra-dq3lj]

I think Alan and Zane are the same person, but one is a creation of the other, so who's the real one?

[@ocieljuarez3703]

@@Mizra-dq3lj i think is a fill the blanks thing zane left

[@dennisekka1094]

bruh why dont you have million views

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

One day hopefully lol. Thanks for the support!

[@WSGtr12]

Why so few views...?

[@BalloonMerchant]

Inside you are two birds

[@Voltaic_Fire]

_"The Alan Wake Files"_ are a real thing?

[@GamingUniversityUoG]

Yeah. If you get Alan Wake on steam it comes in the game files.

[@precinct1324]

Im sorry but this is too overcomplicated and confusing when its much more simple.

[@Mizra-dq3lj]

That's kinda the point