Alan Wake 2 hit the shelves on October 27, available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. However, the burning question on PC gamers’ minds is simple: Is Alan Wake 2 on Steam? This curiosity isn’t just a trivial detail — it’s crucial for many players who prefer one platform over another.
Platform exclusivity isn’t a fresh debate — it’s a long-standing competition mostly between PlayStation and Xbox on the console side. Yet, it’s crucial to note that the rivalry spills over into the PC sphere, too. Precisely, the tug-of-war between Steam and Epic Games Store mirrors the same kind of exclusivity battle.
So, if you’re itching to find out when exactly you can get your hands on Alan Wake 2 on Steam for PC, let’s talk about all the details.
Related: Alan Wake 2 Review Scores Look Amazing
Can You Buy Alan Wake 2 on Steam?
The straightforward answer is no — Alan Wake 2 is not on Steam. However, the reasons behind this are more complex. Sure, we’re all accustomed to exclusivity deals in gaming, but this one has a unique background with specific terms and conditions.
Firstly, an exclusivity contract exists between Remedy Entertainment and Epic Games, leading to the game’s release on October 27 exclusively on the Epic Games Store for PC players. Therefore, Alan Wake 2 on Steam is not an option now. Yet, the dynamics of this arrangement offer an intriguing twist.
Epic Games isn’t only a distribution platform here — they acted as the game’s publisher under the name Epic Games Publishing. This move is significant, marking their new venture’s first AAA title. They even invested in developing not just Alan Wake 2 but also Alan Wake Remastered.
So, the absence of Alan Wake 2 on Steam isn’t just a matter of Epic Games outbidding the Valve’s platform. They are integrally involved in the project, making this a unique arrangement, unlike typical exclusivity deals.
Related: Can You Play Alan Wake 2 on GeForce Now?
When Will Alan Wake 2 Come to Steam?
While there’s still no definite information regarding when Alan Wake 2 will land on Valve’s platform, we can make some educated guesses based on past actions from Epic Games.
The first clue lies in the fact that Alan Wake 2 was released under the umbrella of Epic Games Publishing, mirroring the launch of Alan Wake Remastered in 2021. That title, even after two years, has yet to make its way to Steam. This might strongly hint that Alan Wake 2 on Steam could be a distant reality, potentially not appearing for at least another two years.
On the other hand, another scenario to consider is a standard exclusivity agreement lasting about a year. Recall that Remedy’s earlier game, Control, debuted as an Epic-exclusive but surfaced on Steam just a year later.
Adding another layer to this is a statement from Epic Games Store GM Steve Allison, who mentioned that Alan Wake 2 would remain an Epic exclusive for an extended period. However, he didn’t specify the duration.
In conclusion, based on these factors, it’s likely that Alan Wake 2 on Steam will remain elusive until at least the close of 2024. By that time, the game will have likely received two major DLCs, and once the narrative arc is fully complete, Epic Games might then consider a Steam release.
Find out all the details about the story of Alan Wake and Saga Anderson on this dedicated game page. Additionally, stay tuned as we’ll keep updating you with fresh news and guides shortly.
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