Sam Lake Explains The Alan Wake Story So Far - IGN First

What's Alan Wake's story so far? Watch Alan Wake 2 creative director Sam Lake explain it all, from the original game to Control's AWE expansion.
Alan Wake 2 is September 2023's IGN First! Check our channel for new gameplay, interviews, and more.
#IGN #Gaming #AlanWake2

[@marccanobret7611]

He actually pulled out a clicker as he was explaining it. Legend.

[@reke9942]

Does he just walk around with that thing!?

[@SKIZZVIDS]

Better safe than sorry@@reke9942

[@Dreijer94]

@@reke9942You know, one can plan for an interview.

[@largeboi4678]

@@Dreijer94I assumed that they just kidnapped him and started interviewing him

[@why772]

He seems so damn happy when he pulls it out too

[@stevengordon9990]

Sam Lake is my favourite person in the gaming industry. So much passion & amazing story telling ability.

[@jamesconlin5099]

Sad

[@traceyrinaldi4759]

He's an amazing writer and creative as well. I've had the privilege to speak to him for a bit once, fascinating guy.

[@happychappychester9370]

He's the last one left like that in the gaming industry.

[@stevengordon9990]

@@happychappychester9370 yeah very little people like that in the industry that are in positions to make big games. The majority are now just corporate suit types just in it for the money.

[@GoldTurds]

​@@happychappychester9370sven from larian studios would like to have a conversation.

[@johnnyblaze2485]

Sam Lake is a truly unique storyteller. Never plays it safe, never generic storylines. Always throws some crazy plots out there that seem really really really hard to make but he always delivers. Some of the most unique plots and always delivers in the most unique ways.This guy is truly special.

[@bevanmcnicholl2525]

Except control which is just bad

[@darndarndarn]

story somewhat weak but it was a fun game@@bevanmcnicholl2525

[@lugia8888]

@@bevanmcnicholl2525 control wasnt bad. come on man

[@AntonLouko]

@@bevanmcnicholl2525 how was it bad tho?

[@reeshitdey568]

@@AntonLoukojust because he doesn’t got the brains for understanding control 😂

[@Aridgway]

The most clear explanation ive heard of a not so clear plot. Bravo

[@Sophie_the_Sapphic]

It helps to get the person who wrote the plot to recap it.

[@ABirdOnTheMoon]

It’s easily to get most of it if you read everything and also don’t miss details :) .. you just need to play it a couple of times

[@yeferniwael12]

you can never explain a lynchian plot...you can maybe interpret it in certain ways

[@Dreadpirateflappy]

@@yeferniwael12 The person who wrote the plot can certainly explain the plot...

[@danielbarros8299]

maybe because he wrote it

[@buenasondas1147]

0:23 "Let's see where we get. 5 minutes is pretty tight." -15 minutes later. Lol, thanks Sam for breaking the time limit rule.

[@chrismaverick9828]

Anyone who sums up Alan Wake in five minutes is missing more than half of the plot and shouldn't bother. Let the man extol his craft and writing, which has consistently been among the best narrative experiences in gaming.

[@RandyReviews1990]

@@ItalianoYMexicanohe was at a press junket hence the cut out next to him, all they have is 5 minutes with Sam he has to make the rounds with each journalist he was behind schedule that day lol.

[@cole1714]

That moment when Sam Lake pulls out the light switch Alan uses is so sick. You know he just loves this story.

[@nexarath]

Max Payne summing up Alan Wake, now that's quality content.

[@mltoteslabarbera4935]

This is how you promote a game. Super confident+ lots of gameplay videos showing off the product

[@user-og7fz2pe2h]

Its garbage you have a poor taste in games

[@dumbwaytoplay]

You just can not simply fake true passion and the ability to express your craft. Love Sam Lake!

[@wattsvilleblues]

This guy makes me fall in love with Alan Wake all over again

[@UnOeufff]

The amount of passion this guy has is contagious. AWII is a work of art!

[@maramartaamarhcp]

*the Dark Presence has entered the chat* Work of art you say? 🧐

[@last_aid_kit]

Sam Lake is a real OG. In my heart since 2001 when he played Max Payne in the comics ❤

[@greenburg2276]

How does someone play someone in a comic

[@Sacharias1]

@@greenburg2276 In Max Payne 1 the cut-scenes were done using comic pages, where Sam Lake played Max Payne

[@MacGuyver85]

@@greenburg2276Not so much a comic but photographed scenes stylised and displayed as a comic with text balloons etc.

[@MrAatami]

He did do some motion capture, but not for all of the scenes.

[@user-ho7dr4hy7o]

Sam Lake seems like such a genuine dude!

[@demonbadger86]

Alan Wake was the game that got me into gaming and it will forever be my favourite game.

[@pollstreak4095]

Same for me. Best story ever

[@linhza501]

Max Payne was the first game to make me realized video games can tell truly great and emotional stories.

[@steeledclub6368]

The story and atmosphere are great. The gameplay of Alan wake 1 is very frustrating and repetitive though.

[@lightningmonky7674]

That's crazy, it seems so "niche" compared to others, odd that that's the one that got you Into gaming as a whole

[@Zack0409]

Sam lake combined with James Mccaffreys voice is so iconic and glad he basically brought Max Payne back to Alan wake. Max payne and snake from MGS have the most iconic voices in gaming history imo. Christopher Judge as kratos is up there too.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol Doug cockle as Geralt is much more iconic.

[@Farowlol]

@@dcmastermindfirst9418 That is simply not true.

[@Zack0409]

@@Farowlol Well he’s up there as well. It’s definitely a voice you instantly recognize. I’d say Geralt, Mario and Marcus Fenix from gears are all contenders if I’m being honest. I’d even throw glados, joker and master chief in there even though he barely talks. All instantly recognizable from great games.

[@axelarge]

Michael Ironside as Sam Fisher from Splinter Cell also makes the list for me

[@wigglywrigglydoo]

Boyyyyyyy!

[@rcadenow7543]

in the max payne days it was soo rare so see a sam lake interview. it nice nowdays he is a lot more active in the media.

[@datatsushi2016]

What? He was the face of remedy (and still is) He did all the interviews.

[@detectivejojo7025]

​@@datatsushi2016interviews weren't so common during max payne days

[@datatsushi2016]

@@detectivejojo7025 Well maybe not in 2001 when it first released but around 2007 everyone knew who he was within the gaming industry. It's not like the guy is only NOW getting attention in 2023.

[@damianm2896]

​@@datatsushi2016you're literally saying what op is. Why are you disagreeing? He didn't say Sam is only now getting attention. He just said how it was rare to see him in interview back then and it's nice to see him more often now. You agree by saying it was rare in 2001ish and more common in 2007 (which weren't the max Payne days)

[@julioservin3613]

13 years waiting to play Alan wake 2. Thanks Remedy!!

[@houman2009]

Np

[@DUBZZMusic]

@@houman2009 bro he was NOT talking to you 💀💀

[@houman2009]

@@DUBZZMusicshhh😂

[@blinkq_530]

Np glad we could make you happy

[@ItsMeMonkeyDLuffy]

Made some amazing games in the mean time that will make this hopefully a hybrid of those games, this could be an amazing game for sure, the first one was a great experience

[@rometherevenant8749]

Its time to get our boi Alan Wake home you guys.

[@sloth321]

How they tied control into alan wake was simply masterclass sam is built different

[@WeekndWarriorrr]

The rest of the industry needs to takes notes.

[@marcoh703]

Its also subtle and not in your face. Even if you dont have played control the FBC feels a natural pressence in alan wake. Its indeed a masterclass.

[@bmd5713]

What Remedy has done narratively and with gameplay is no less than a Masterpiece. Love their work!

[@mp5wes]

Best summary for a series I've heard so far. Not short but includes the important points

[@CVoYager]

Sam Lake is so enjoyable to watch

[@TheAkdzyn]

Great explanation of the plot so far. Thank you for the background to the story. Look forward to 2 when it comes out.

[@YuniorGamboa]

Sam is a true gem in the gaming community He brings so much positivity and passion to his projects

[@rcadenow7543]

alan wake 1+ dlcs are in my fav top 10 games ever. masterpiece. like a king book + twin peaks action game.

[@DevTheDude93]

Alan wake 2 is an absolute masterpiece so far. One of the best games I’ve ever played.

[@DManSherlock]

That was so much fun, and a great recap!

[@golions13579]

This dude is becoming one of my favorite personalities in gaming

[@phillipeulee4441]

Sam Lake is such an inspirational man!

[@shadowstrangler1]

Industry vet with IPs to back it up.

[@leonarduskrisna4588]

What if Sam Lake,and Kojima Make one Horror Psychological Game That will be hell of Horror Game for Century

[@caseyladner1]

What an awesome breakdown. I’ve played the game probably 8 times and he filled something’s in for me lol.

[@TUUK2006]

If you've played a narrative story game 8 times and still needed the plot explained to you, then that's evidence of absolutely terrible story telling. I've played the game a few times myself and had no idea what's going on. This video didn't make much any clearer.

[@falpatrick]

Waaaaaah@@TUUK2006

[@mysteryman703]

@@TUUK2006 maybe you should rethink the way you analyze art if something doesn't make sense to you that doesn't automatically make it bad story telling thats like saying anything you don't understand is just poorly made

[@greenburg2276]

@@TUUK2006or great storytelling

[@greenburg2276]

@@TUUK2006the things that stick with you the most are mysteries and unanswered questions

[@Lusherknight]

Alan Wake is amazing series. Can’t wait play the second one, just wish it had a physical version. Hopefully we get Quantum Break 2

[@kinothemystic]

yeah, really hoping Microsoft just gives the IP to Remedy since they aren't doing anything with it, and probably never will.

[@Lusherknight]

@@kinothemystic that’d be the smartest move

[@zakixbox]

Can't wait to finally put my hands on this sequel!

[@population-_-420]

U not getting MW3?

[@machobrizzin2337]

lol why would he waste his money on a re-release of the same game we got last year

[@Jigsawn2]

This was a great recap, thanks Sam and thanks IGN. Just finished the AWE DLC for Control and about to start my Alan Wake 2 playthrough. Hyyyypppeee!

[@ZombieSlayerKat]

This is an extremely helpful summary, wow

[@user-exuytv]

So cool how all the games are connected

[@EscapeCondition]

Cannot wait for this

[@kinothemystic]

Literally the best recap, thank you Sam Lake and IGN!

[@inthecellar5951]

Love Remedy and Love Sam Lake - amazing catch up to the story! Thank you! Can't wait for Alan Wake 2!

[@VaduvaGaming]

13 years has passed & we are days away from this sequel 🤩

[@TeemuSintonen]

Looking forward to that quirky and unsettling Remedy atmosphere in Alan Wake 2! ❤

[@Heartracer]

Sequel looks unreal. A true passion project

[@Rain4eva276]

Almost time!!!

[@4ud170r]

Seeing Max Payne actually smiling is actually surreal

[@Simbolico2024]

Pack your flashlight, your bag, your revolver, get some snacks, some soda or juice, and get ready for this adventure - we've waited for so long... October 27th is coming. This is gonna be epic, guys. 🗿🍷

[@Schoolboy-Q]

That dude looks like Max Payne.

[@DecibelAlex]

that dude looks like Alex Casey

[@Cypeq]

No better person to do a recap for us thanks Sam!

[@toygunkizilmese4173]

One of my most loved titles, AW2 is amazing 😮

[@Haze923]

Brilliant story telling can’t wait for Alan Wake 2

[@kosmonument2682]

When he clicked the light switch for the first time my KZbin froze and went into buffering. LOL!

[@captainsonypony2709]

Amazing story concept

[@phillygroyper]

Sam Lake and Dan Howser are saving story driven games in this age of gaming

[@moonjumper9504]

This is probably my favorite ign video lol

[@Intrinsic16]

This is the best recap before you play Alan wake❤. love you Sam

[@arionmoschetta]

Sam Lake we love you 💞

[@anastasiad.2489]

Herra Järvi, keep going, and I'll buy everything you're planning to produce, because it's an honor to be your fan

[@DarkPhantomSky]

Really intriguing!

[@HyperEwok1]

American Nightmare really do be underrated as hell

[@DecibelAlex]

Remedy's storytelling is really top notch. other companies should take notes

[@datatsushi2016]

Never played any JRPG's i assume?

[@Shreyashtiwari07]

BG 3

[@PatGunn]

Max Payne explains Alan Wake. Strange implications for canon.

[@last_aid_kit]

He is also Alex Casey who is literally Max Payne written by Alan Wake 🤯

[@thepews1511]

Waiting for the game to download who better to catch me up on the lore! Great idea IGN!

[@FireSonata]

Glad to be lining in Sam Lake times !

[@hennyspiderman9974]

From masterpieces like max Payne to Alan wake. Remedy is truly one of the most underrated studios

[@roseberry24]

This is my most anticipated game of the year

[@Lusherknight]

They could definitely turn this into a tv series or a movie

[@gorillaX1944]

Watch Twin Peaks lol

[@soylentcompany5235]

Not everything needs to be turned into a movie

[@scotty2210ss]

Playing Alan Wake 2 after only playing control and the DLC, this helps alot!!

[@dariushsarkhanzade5229]

It’s incredible 😍. I can’t wait to get my hands on alan wake 2❤

[@Diijkstra]

what a cool story about to play the 2.

[@arctic_gaming-6187]

Damn Sam, why are you not supporting physical media, for the few of us who want to collect the art you make

[@RomainDelmaire]

This is one of the best story in video games

[@julianc691]

A true Artist🧑‍🎨

[@samarthgrover1996]

alan wake special 2 is probably the most artistic video game i've ever played. directed by lynch as if

[@jummychu2977]

Can’t wait for the extended dlc, it can’t come fast enough 😭😭

[@Gray137]

But what about Alan's appearance, Casey's appearance and the chalk board (those three in particular) in Quantum Break?

[@colbyboucher6391]

Since Microsoft owns that IP, they need to kinda delegate Quantum Break to "reference" status. Of course the references go both ways because of Mr. Hatch / Mr. Door...

[@ImBatman-dk8eh]

That clears up a ton on American Nightmare

[@_Twink]

The start of Alan wake is the exact same story of Doyle who ended Sherlock for the same reasons. In fact the plot kind of follows his nearly finished posthumously published book, The narrative of John Smith.

[@babakjafari2084]

great writer 👌👌👌

[@pavise6333]

Sam Lake is like a more talkative version of Kimi Raikkonen

[@blairsnyder1067]

Love the Twilight Zone reference

[@Schizm1]

It's still boggles my mind that Alan Wake was, for years, an fully open world game with dynamic weather events, day/night cycle, side quests etc. It's crazy how it evolved into linear narrative game.

[@greenburg2276]

What it was always linear

[@Schizm1]

@@greenburg2276 no, it wasnt

[@ishboi-vk4zk]

@@Schizm1 You are deefinitely thinking of a different game m8. Alan Wake doesnt have dynamic weather or day/night cycles. Not open world either. Sounds like you're describing skyrim. totally different style of game lmfao. This is a survival horror/thriller

[@kimshoemaker3129]

@@ishboi-vk4zkreread the original comment, English is not an easy language

[@lexiconprime7211]

When was Alan Wake an open world game? Pre-Alpha or something?

[@Core2]

C'monnnn release it already!!

[@kerrzUSR]

The Zane we see if a defintiely a product of Alan's writing imo

[@Simplystimulating]

Beautiful

[@Rossettedreams1]

😢 Its beautiful all the game!! The history,

[@Snakex59]

Sam Lake is my favorite face in all of my years gaming.

[@TheKorath]

Not sure if you want to correct your chapter names, but it should be Barbara Jagger not Barbara Checker.

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

Alan Wake was a top 10 Xbox 360 game. Alan Wake 2 is a top game of all-time.

[@horriblefridge]

Alan Lake that became an Ocean

[@rockerojerez349]

One question wife's Alan wake is alive??

[@horriblefridge]

@@rockerojerez349 Yeah

[@vivaladokky]

​@@rockerojerez349Well, she is in Control as far as we know... Unfortunately the voice actor for Alice has passed away. They could really make something special storywise with a man who sacrificed himself for his wife, and her to have passed away while he was away

[@johnnyvolvox2932]

Remedy's story telling is THE BEST bar none

[@S-mw3qd]

Where are the modern action TPS?

[@neville2308]

Sam is such a gem

[@torley]

I'm glad the Control part was included at the end. So satisfying to get the next chapters of this story after all this time! Masterful storytelling drawing from its traditions and influences, and forging a new path... the REMEDYVERSE!

[@houman2009]

Alaaaan wake up

[@MarcusMathew]

Awesome man and inspiring guy Sam Lake is my very favorite person in game industry real Max Payne and Hideo Kojima in Eastern Europe

[@pscraft1337]

Best recap!

[@danieldevito6380]

Remedy is, without question, one of the few great gaming companies left.

[@iii_saif_iii3042]

whos here after Ending Alan Wake 2?

[@horriblefridge]

The Percolator ride smells mighty fishy...

[@LampDoesVideogame]

*Barbara Jagger... That typo's been up for a month?

[@GravelordNEETo]

Tbf it does really sound like Sam is saying Checker

[@pandaril92]

OMG Max Payne is talking about Alan Wake!

[@fatalsg92]

This is really nice.

[@devonjames7999]

Im more excited to play this than spiderman 2 so much mystery and allure to the story