Alan Wake was a game that took everyone by storm. A horror game that remains popular to this day, it saw ports to the latest generation consoles. Fans waited for a sequel for over a decade, and Remedy Studios came through. They announced Alan Wake 2 at PlayStation Showcase 2023. However, developers stunned fans with the announcement of a digital-only release of the Alan Wake sequel!

At the Summer Games Fest, creative director Sam Lake and game director Kyle Rowley explained the reasons behind a digital release. The digital release gives them more time to release a polished game.

Alan Wake 2 gets a digital release to make the game polished

For a lot of gamers, part of getting a new game is the experience of getting a physical copy. This means getting a disc version of the game along with its case. However, in recent times, digital versions gained prominence. Alan Wake 2 became part of the digital release train.

When asked about the reasons behind a digital release, developers expressed that it allowed them to work on the game much better. By releasing a digital version, developers are given more time to work on the game’s development. They can resolve any bugs or issues that come up. However, if they release a disc version and there is a bug discovered, gamers will see a release day patch. No gamer wants to get a new game and see an update after putting the disc in the console.

Speaking to Eurogamer at the Summer Games Fest, the developers said, “As creatives obviously, by going digital-only it does allow us more time to polish the game. Like, a significant amount of weeks actually. Because otherwise, the game that goes on the disc, obviously it has to be playable without a patch.” Moreover, Epic Games, their publisher, agreed to this reasoning.

Read More: Alan Wake 2 Creative Director Affirms a Standalone Experience With a New Saga and Doubled Surprises on the Horror Ground

While some fans expressed disappointment, the decision may be a smart one. The current generation of consoles took the route to provide digital-only versions of the consoles with both the PlayStation 5 as well as Xbox Series X. As for PC, the platform thrives on digital versions of games, with publishers such as Epic providing the service. The digital-only route for Alan Wake 2 could also be a blessing for gamers. With no wait for a release day update, they can dive into the story right away! As for now, there are no plans for a disc release of the game.

What do you think of Alan Wake 2 going digital-only? Would you prefer a physical copy? Let us know in the comments below.

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