This was expected to be the year when the forefather of the survival horror genre, Alone in the Dark, would be receiving a long-anticipated remake. Sadly, horror fans will need to exercise a little more patience, as the upcoming game has now been delayed.
October 2023 is shaping up to be a blockbuster month for AAA game releases. With titles like Alan Wake 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Forza Motorsport, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and many others all set to launch, the competition for players’ hard-earned money is fierce.
Luckily, THQ Nordic, the Austrian publisher behind Alone in the Dark, has recognized the potential pitfalls of releasing its game amidst such a crowded schedule. Originally slated for an October 25 release, Alone in the Dark will now see the light (?) of day on January 16, 2024. THQ Nordic released a statement to explain its decision, stating:
Our intention is to avoid competing with the wake of Alan’s epic release and to evade the dazzling skyline of cities adorned by the graceful swings of Spider-Man. We aim to truly remain as Alone in the Dark as possible. To honor this, the spine-chilling horror game has been rescheduled to unveil its horrors on January 16, 2024. This extension will serve a dual purpose: not only will it permit us to meticulously perfect the gaming experience, but it will also grant us the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the remarkable releases of October.
Alone in the Dark holds a special place in the hearts of horror game fans. Released in 1992, it pioneered the 3D survival horror genre, setting the stage for other iconic franchises like Resident Evil and continues to inspire more recent IPs, such as Alan Wake.
The reboot promises to bring a fresh perspective to this beloved classic, with a third-person view centered around protagonists Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood. Players will navigate through the dark and sinister mansion, solving puzzles and battling otherworldly horrors while uncovering the dark secrets hidden within.
The game’s story will be penned by Mikael Hedberg, known for his work on survival horror games such as 2010’s Amnesia: The Dark Descent and 2015’s Soma, both of which are widely recognized as paragons of the genre.
Furthermore, creature designs will be developed by Guy Davis, a long-time collaborator with renowned horror filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. Alone in the Dark will also feature Hollywood talents David Harbour and Jodie Comer, who will play Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood, respectively.
Strategic delays in the gaming industry are not uncommon. With the bustling release calendar this October, THQ Nordic’s decision to postpone Alone in the Dark seems well-calculated. By avoiding direct competition with major titles, the game has a better chance to shine on its own. The tactic certainly worked to Baldur’s Gate 3’s favor recently.
Alone in the Dark will be available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. Eager fans can still satisfy their itch to play the game with the free demo, Grace in the Dark: Prologue, which was released earlier this year.
