Larian Lead Disputes Epic CEO’s Claims of Better Developer Deals Following Alan Wake 2 Sales Losses

A detailed shot of Alan Wake in Remedy Entertainment's acclaimed horror sequel, Alan Wake 2

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Douse further argued that it is difficult to accept these assertions at face value when exclusivity often leads to games underperforming on a global scale. He questioned whether the Epic Games Store is truly capable of converting its user base into sustainable revenue for studios in a meaningful way.

“The long-term viability of the store depends on their ability to transition hundreds of millions of Fortnite players into premium, hardcore gamers,” Douse explained, “and I haven’t seen the Fortnite brand make a serious effort to bridge that gap.”

Regarding *Alan Wake 2*, although the publishing deal with Epic covered initial costs, it took nearly two years for the sequel to become profitable for Remedy Entertainment. Bypassing major platforms like Steam and the Nintendo Switch undoubtedly complicated the game’s financial trajectory, despite the upfront funding.

While market diversity is generally positive, especially in a volatile industry, Douse emphasizes that developers must be wary of the trade-offs. Ultimately, consistent sales volume is what keeps a studio operational, and exclusivity remains a high-stakes gamble.

According to the Witchfire lead, Steam’s dominance remains unchallenged because players are reluctant to “cheat” on their primary game library for a secondary storefront.

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