Summary of Creative Director Sam Lake Talks Alan Wake 2 and Live Action in Games | AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

In this section of the YouTube video, Samuel Lake discusses the creative process behind the upcoming game Alan Wake 2. He emphasizes the importance of live-action content in creating a unique and immersive experience. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Lake is excited for the final release of the game, which incorporates live-action content, stylized sets, and a mix of horror and art-house elements. He also discusses his experiences working on the game's production and the challenges faced by game developers during the dialogue and scriptwriting process.

00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Samuel Lake refers to the long and winding journey of creating the sequel to Alan Wake, a highly anticipated survival horror series by Remedy Games. He discusses his early days in the gaming industry, his love for role-playing games and tabletop gaming, and how his interest in English literature led him to study English at the Helsinki University. Remedy Games was founded in Helsinki, and it was during his time there that he first met REMedy Games.
00:05:00 In this section of the video, Creative Director Sam Lake discusses the early days of Remedy Entertainment, founded by childhood friends, and their first game, Death Rally. He talks about his experience writing texts for the game and how he brought additional story into the game through the idea of a graphic novel within it. He also reflects on the game industry during those days, which was largely made up of garage developers, and how Remedy was part of that scene.
00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video, Sam Lake, the creative director of Remedy Entertainment, talks about the development of the second video game in the Alan Wake series. He discusses how Remedy was founded just a few months before Death Rally, a game developed by 3D Realms, and how both companies were able to establish themselves in the industry. He also talks about the impact that Max Payne had on the gaming industry and the connection between the game's settings and storytelling. Additionally, he discusses the upcoming release of Alan Wake 2, which is currently in development at Remedy, and gets excited about the prospect of fans now being able to finally experience the continuation of Max Payne's story.
00:15:00 In this section of the video, Creative Director Sam Lake talks about the long and difficult journey of creating a sequel to Alan Wake, a very special project to him. He explains that it took more than 10 years before they were able to really get the sequel started, due to a lack of trying, the timing not being right, and not finding the right partner. Despite this, they are now almost ready to release Alan Wake 2. Lake mentions how their experiences with Quantum Break and Control have shaped the game's structure, as well as their decision to include live-action content to stand out. Despite the challenges they faced, Lake is excited for the released version of the game.
00:20:00 In this section of the transcript, Sam Lake talks about the creative process behind Alan Wake 2, particularly their approach to integrating live action with CG. He emphasizes the importance of bold, original, and unique ideas, and advocating for things that excite the creators and audience. He also discusses how the use of live action in games sets a new standard, and how video game production and live-action shoots are quite different and can cause friction. He shares that they learned from their previous experiences with Quantum Break and Visions and are aiming for more stylized and immersive live-action content with Alan Wake 2.
00:25:00 In this section, Creative Director Sam Lake discusses the live-action content in the upcoming game Alan Wake 2. The visions that the protagonist Alan Wake sees are inspired by the real world and are shot as live-action sequences. There are transitions between the in-game and real-world environments. The live-action shots were shot using an experienced film crew and were shot at a rented studio. The sets used for the live-action shots included the hotel where Alan Wake's writers' room was located and the soundstage used for filming the talk show performances. The tone of the live-action content is described as a mix of art-house horror and stylized lighting. Sam Lake notes that the experience of working with a film crew and the quality of the resulting live-action content has been an invaluable lesson for the development team.
00:30:00 In this section, creative director Sam Lake discusses his experience working on Alan Wake 2. He highlights the challenges of having the critical screenplay in place before production and the need to have multiple hats, including acting and music production. The production model of the game, which is not built around one person, can lead to messy startups, such as the one in Alan Wake 2. Despite these challenges, Lake hopes to achieve a version where only the critical path of the story is executed and the screenplay is complete.
00:35:00 In this section, Sam Lake discusses the challenges faced by game developers during the production process, specifically regarding dialogue and scriptwriting. Lake states that correcting mistakes made in the scripting process after production has begun can fragment the entire process, leading to unnecessary moving parts, wasted work, and longer production time. He emphasizes the importance of having a well-planned and complete script before starting production, citing the example of Alan Wake 2 as a project that could have benefited from a more comprehensive pre-production process. He also touches upon modifying the story in the middle of production, stating that it is a common occurrence, but can be managed effectively with collaboration between various departments, including design and storyboarding.
00:40:00 In this section, Sam Lake discusses the challenges of adjusting the scope of a video game project, specifically in the context of the story. He explains that being ambitious with the story often means building a lot of connections through foreshadowing and other narrative devices. However, when it comes time to cut content due to time or budget constraints, patching it back up can be a serious storytelling effort. It can take two months or more to fix the story, and if you cut too much content, it can lead to plot holes and other issues. Unfortunately, these challenges are not limited to one round of cuts; sometimes, multiple rounds may be necessary. As for viewers who may not be in development, Lake uses the example of cramming cut scenes into another mission or level, which can prove frustrating for both players and storytellers. He also mentions the use of voice-over narration in video games as a way to tell the story without showing too much, which is often preferred in this medium.
00:45:00 In this section, Sam Lake, the creative director of Remedy Entertainment, discusses the use of hardboiled dialogue and narration in games, specifically in Alan Wake. He believes that this style of storytelling is the perfect tool for player guidance while also immersing the player in the character's head. He explains that in the game, the player realizes that the entire game they played was part of the manuscript of a novel, and that the narration, interviews, and live action elements are all used to give color to the story and guide the player. He believes that these different layers are the cheapest and most effective way of storytelling in video games, and uses radio, voice narration, and documents found in the world as alternative methods when cinematics are no longer possible.
00:50:00 In this section, Sam Lake, creative director at Remedy Entertainment, discusses the pacing and cost of game development when creating their games with a dark, mysterious tone. He also talks about the importance of to tone in creating a unique atmosphere that sets them apart from other games. Lake mentions that his team uses a narrator convention consistently in their games, which has become a part of their brand. The team goes against common practices by mixing elements and sometimes incorporating humor in their games. He also discusses how growing up in Finland and his fascination with American popular culture has influenced their game stories. Lake talks about the faded vibe of the games, where despite incorporating nods to film and pop culture, his unique combined idea of Remedy's universe and the outside perspective makes the game's vibe Feel slightly out of joint in an interesting way.
00:55:00 In this section, Sam Lake discusses how his interest in postmodern writing was sparked by not fully understanding certain references and the mythology of Finland and Nordic countries. He mentions how he discovered the Viking mythology through the Lord of the Rings background and was fascinated by Nordic lore, resulting in his presentations on the Viking gods and supernatural elements related to them in Alan Wake. He also talks about the influence of Langston Hughes' poem "Exile" on the narrative of Alan Wake, and how it inspired the character of the crazy Finn janitor. Lake concludes by discussing how the duality between light and darkness in Alan Wake reflect the unique perspective of those living in places where the weather varies greatly between seasons.

01:00:00 - 01:15:00

Creative Director Sam Lake discusses the complementary relationship between writing and design in the game development industry. He emphasizes the importance of being reactive on the writing side and collaborating with others, even with limited resources. He encourages aspiring writers to be creative and curious and to have a strong understanding of games. Lake feels that his work has inspired people even when he was not the first to conceptualize it. He believes that education is important in game design and that there needs to be more focus on narrative design and writing schools.

01:00:00 In this section, Creative Director Sam Lake discusses the interdependence of writing and design in game development. He explains how getting back to what he does as a creative director and writer involves making sure that the writing reflects the design and the design reflects the writing, and finding ways to support the other areas with what he does. He highlights the importance of being reactive on the writing side, starting prototyping gameplay at the same time, and iterating solutions. When something changes outside of his work, he encourages his team to treat it as an opportunity to make what they have better.
01:05:00 In this section, Sam Lake discusses the importance of adopting a collaborative approach in game development, and how limitations can lead to creative solutions. He explains that working with limited tools and resources can force creators to be more creative and push beyond their comfort zone. Lake also discusses how constraints have been an important part of his career, including the shift to remote work due to the pandemic. Regarding advice for those interested in a writing career in the industry, Lake encourages creativity and curiosity, and emphasizes the importance of staying open to different experiences and perspectives. He believes that a passion for storytelling and a willingness to learn and adapt are essential qualities for success in the field.
01:10:00 In this section, Creative Director Sam Lake discusses his experience working on the game "Alan Wake," where he felt that his work inspired people, even when he wasn't the first to conceptualize it. He also talks about how he was able to work independently during the early stages of his career, and how he believes that it's important for aspiring people in the industry to have a strong understanding of games, including basic game mechanics. He also encourages aspiring writers to read and analyze various forms of art to learn about storytelling techniques and how to create compelling narratives.
01:15:00 In this section, Creative Director Sam Lake discusses the importance of education in game design and the growth of narrative design and writing schools. He also talks about his admiration for storytelling in video games and his appreciation of companies like Remedy Entertainment that push the boundaries of game narrative. Lake concludes the interview by congratulating the team on their upcoming project and expressing his excitement to see what the future holds for the game industry.