Development Budget and Collaboration with Rockstar Games
Remedy Entertainment has revealed new details about the much-anticipated Max Payne 1 and 2 Remake, highlighting that it will have a development budget comparable to the recently released Alan Wake 2. The remake is being developed in collaboration with Rockstar Games, which is fully financing the project. Remedy is handling the development, using its Northlight game engine, the same technology that powered Control and Alan Wake 2.
A Partnership Revisited
The original Max Payne games were also the product of a collaboration between Remedy and Rockstar, with Remedy developing the games and Rockstar publishing them. Rockstar later independently developed Max Payne 3. This remake re-establishes the partnership under a new publishing agreement, targeting platforms such as PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S.
Insights into Alan Wake 2’s Performance and Budget
While Remedy has not disclosed the exact budget for the Max Payne remakes or Alan Wake 2, Finnish analysts estimate that Alan Wake 2 had a total budget of approximately €70 million ($75 million), with €20 million dedicated to marketing.
Commercial Success of Alan Wake 2
CEO Tero Virtala announced that Alan Wake 2 had sold over one million units by the end of 2023, making it the studio’s fastest-selling game. Released on October 27, the digital-only title quickly recouped a significant portion of the investment made by Epic Games Publishing. Virtala emphasized the game’s longtail sales potential, citing the precedent set by Control.
Progress on Max Payne 1 and 2 Remake
Virtala confirmed that significant progress had been made on the development of the Max Payne remakes in 2023. He described the project as a “major new game with great potential,” supported by a budget similar to Alan Wake 2.
Upcoming Milestones
The remakes, along with other titles like Control 2 and Condor (a four-player co-op spin-off of Control), are set to advance to the next stages of development in the first half of 2024. None of these projects currently have a release date.
Remedy’s Multi-Project Strategy
Remedy’s strategy of balancing multiple projects is supported by a team of nearly 400 developers. Virtala expressed confidence in the studio’s diverse lineup, which includes both established franchises and new ventures.
Challenges with Codename Kestrel
One project facing difficulties is Codename Kestrel, previously known as Codename Vanguard. Despite early progress, Remedy and Tencent agreed that the game lacked the potential to meet market demands. The project has since returned to the concept stage, resulting in a write-off of €7.2 million ($7.8 million), negatively affecting the studio’s profitability.
Focus on Core Franchises and Future Expansion
Looking ahead, Remedy plans to expand its two core franchises, Control and Alan Wake, which are linked through the Remedy Connected Universe. Virtala underscored the importance of growing these franchises while continuing to collaborate on the Max Payne series, which was originally created by Remedy.
“We are thrilled with a great lineup of upcoming game launches,” Virtala concluded, signaling a bright future for the studio.
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