Hi, after reading some statistics, I still imrpessed how a HUGE GAME like Alan Wake, isn´t a Million Seller Yet.

This week: 968,737
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/13817/alan-wake/

Is PIRACY responsible for that? The game is one of the best this generation, I can´t understand.

Someone will have to dig up the torrent numbers for AW, but I'm assuming they're grossly high.

And this was probably the crux of the issue in regards to sales.

The game itself was fantastic and reviewed well. But on a personal note, I completed the game over a couple of marathon sessions over a single weekend and after finishing it a second time at the hardest setting, I basically had little reason to go back to the game until the free DLC was released (also fantastic; in many ways topping the main game).

With no online component (thankfully; as it would have simply been tacked on), there was no incentive for habitual game pirates to actually buy a copy, regardless of how good it was.

Despite what some pirates will claim in their defense, most, if not all, really don't care about supporting quality products or the industry unless they are essentially required to do so in order to play (whether it's online services, whatever).

To be fair it probably is a million seller if you include online sales, but that might be cheating. I think it's a good feature that you can buy most of the good xbox library over the marketplace (at least in the UK, I've never been on the American marketplace).

The most important thing is that there will be a sequel. But the sales are truly sad.

One of the most pirated games last year, over 1 milion copies!!!!

http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/12/29/most-pirated-games-2010

I bought Alan Wake about a month ago and it came with free DLC code. So they have upped the reasons to buy the game. I only played the main campaign as of now and will be playing the DLC soon. However on subject of selling a million. I'm sure the game has sold a million. VGCHARTZ does not track downloaded content.

Also who's to say the numbers are right.  Remember software numbers are largely imcomplete.

Loved the game and got to go back through for achievements.  I do agree that the game deserves 1 million, shit 2 million in sales given how good it was. It could have been longer but with the free DLC included in the game as of recent and at a lower cost. I see no reason for sales to be better as the value is worth it.  The next release from them we will see more sales, just like Dead Space 2. Another game that deserves way more sales.  So go buy Dead Space 2, the game is awsome and worth every penny.

Yes pirates can cut into the sales but like stated above, we will need to see some numbers to confirm that.

EDIT: We have numbers now to conclude that the game was heavily pirated. Was writing post during the time others found info and posted.

The problem with relying upon the DLC for sales is that the first episode was only a "bonus" for those who bought new.

Anyone with a used copy could buy the same content for $5. I'm assuming anyone with a pirated copy could have done the same thing as well.

Or you can be a dumbass like myself and buy the first episode when you thought you were buying the second episode even though you already redeemed your code when you bought the game new and finished that original DLC months ago.

You're welcome Remedy.

those torrent numbers are not that accurate anyway.

You need to factor in invite only sites as well. and you can easily see them go up by 20%.

It is amazing to see RS2 being pirated so much. I reckon goldeneye is up there too.

Bascially, the game was a bit of a let down after such a long wait. It got 83 on meta, and did not have the brand name to fall back on like GT 5 and FF XIII which had similar waits and reviews. Add in to that poor advertising and you have fairly average sales (and a similar release frame to Red Dead if I remember correctly)

From a personal perspective, I didn't enjoy the game. I am not a fan of horror games, but I thought the story should be interesting enough to carry me through, but I didn't really enjoy the gunplay or story that much... If you want a more entertaining way of hearing my thoughts, listen to Yahtzee because I totally agree with him on this one

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/1756-Alan-Wake

Awesome game, but not exactly the most popular genre. Still disappointing though.

Anyway with last year's holiday bundles, there should be around 2.5m owners by now.