Alone in the Dark goes episodic

Atari announces a new structure for the next generation of its action survival game.

Alone in the Dark, the survival game first released in 1992, is getting a new, episode-based structure for its 2007 release. Developer Eden Games is splitting the game into distinct episodes within a season-style format, which David Nadal, game director at Eden Games, hopes will keep players "permanently hooked into the engrossing story surrounding the mysteries of Central Park and beyond."

Each episode will contain approximately 30-40 minutes of gameplay and close on a cliff-hanger--a format that has been drawn from the success of TV dramas. Launching a saved game will trigger a video summary of the previous episode.

For more information about Alone in the Dark, see our exclusive first look.

53 Comments

  • chrisdojo

    Posted May 3, 2006 6:09 am PT

    heh.... i had alone in the dark 1 back in the day. it was ok. anyways...... episodes can be a good thing if they are long enough for the $20 they cost.

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted May 3, 2006 4:34 am PT

    I hate these types of games, I've been a big fan of HL2, but ever since they started doing the whole "episodic" thing with the game, it just doesn't feel right to me. I miss the 8 - 10 hours of gameplay.

  • orangebrat

    Posted May 3, 2006 1:38 am PT

    Can people not read anymore? They are not going to sell 30-40 minutes episodes individually. The game is going to be a regular 10-20 hour game(whatever) with gameplay segments(i.e. episodes) that are designed to be played in 30-40 minute sections. You aren't going to be purchasing separate modules ala Bone and Sam & Max.

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted May 2, 2006 5:24 pm PT

    Nice game can't wait to play it.

  • trancejeremy

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:59 pm PT

    Given that some games are now being released in "episodes", a press relase saying that AITD will be comprised of episodes is bound to confuse people.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:01 pm PT

    uncool

  • The_SandRock

    Posted May 2, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    This actually sounds cool. Like a T.V. show, you'll be anticipating the next episode for the entire week, and rush home to play.

  • denawayne

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:45 pm PT

    Everybody who thinks this game is a bunch downloads should go to page 3 of this forum and read my post at the top of the page. Now if you think you have to download page 3, just send me $2.00 via paypal and stick your ethernet cable up your rear.

  • dru26

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:21 pm PT

    The game is a regular length game broke down into episodic chapters , you freaking dumasses, holy cow.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:09 pm PT

    As long as the downloads arent too big and the episodes are cheap I would buy. The graphics look sick on this game so far...

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:07 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • SteelAttack

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:06 pm PT

    I don't quite get why people seemed to understand that the game was going to be 40 minutes. The note is clear isn't it?

  • sabru8

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    looks cool

  • jvonrader

    Posted May 2, 2006 1:24 pm PT

    If they charge full price for the game, the episodes may very well be free provided you have the disc to boot them with. Someone was bound to experiement with this format eventually.

  • tremo01

    Posted May 2, 2006 1:06 pm PT

    Why? Selling a single game is much simpler

  • Khimarhi

    Posted May 2, 2006 12:13 pm PT

    sounds pretty stupid to me

  • Intrakitt

    Posted May 2, 2006 12:08 pm PT

    If it's a full retail game then how is this news at all?

  • neoand12

    Posted May 2, 2006 12:00 pm PT

    $60 for each episode, if so no way!!!!!!!!

  • Seraphim_24

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:40 am PT

    Well that's just crappy. I was looking forward to this one too, but when I buy a game I want the whole thing right then and there, so I will wait, and hope that they sell it as a full version later.

  • NickW1

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:36 am PT

    theres no point trying to explain this to anyone as no one is listening

  • DrKill09

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:34 am PT

    This game keeps lookin better and better

  • Corvin

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:25 am PT

    Kinda cool, kinda a way to keep the price up...
    EDIT OK I read it, I get it, but don't blame people when the word "episodic" has lately meant that the game is released in peices. I've never heard that it was "news" to break your game up into chapters. Phantasmagoria, anyone?

  • Manatassi

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:10 am PT

    damn i misspelled that now i look stupid.

  • ApisBee

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:10 am PT

    Cool. They can insert commercials just like TV and make it FREE!

  • Manatassi

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:09 am PT

    GO READ THE PREWIEW!

    stupid people

  • Manatassi

    Posted May 2, 2006 11:07 am PT

    errr people seem confused here.... they are releasing the whol;e game as one game but each level will be set out like an episode from a tv series... you buy the whole game at once not in peices

  • rbarahona

    Posted May 2, 2006 10:00 am PT

    Sounds great; however I'm concerned at what cost gamers will be able to pay for that content. I think that the idea to provide content in "episodes" is really cool; it's like reading a book.

  • MovieMan200x

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:41 am PT

    That sounds like fun. I'm an avid fan of 24 and Prison Break, 2 shows that thrive on the cliffhanger. Count me in!

  • spidaman

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:23 am PT

    That looks very cool.

  • linmukai

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:18 am PT

    In today's exciting episode, I will now.... oops... it's still the same day...

    Did I mention I was already a retard?

  • linmukai

    Posted May 2, 2006 8:16 am PT

    Stay tuned for tomorrow's episode where I make the first part of a comment that I intent to stretch out for many episodes, all well worth your time of course and which thankfully will cost you zero.

    And for what it's worth. I was already a tard before I got here.

    Dammit... I meant to release that comment tomorrow... sorry if this lengthy first episode was too much for you casual comment readers...

  • TraiklinX3

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:58 am PT

    If it is a full game just done as a TV Show then it sounds really cool.

    If it's done as a download then this is really stupid if they charge mroe then $1.99 for each "Episode", or just let us download it for free so we can "Watch" it and just place ads in the game like real TV dramas.

    Cause remember, you can goto iTunes and download an episode that just aired for $1.99 so if this is the same length as a TV show then it should be the same price of a TV show.

  • denawayne

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:50 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • twoism

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:47 am PT

    Lol at least someone else realizes it the way I do.. whoever wrote the news should have been more clear I guess since no one ever reads the other posts before they comment... oh well.

  • strahd01

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:37 am PT

    thats is alot of episodes but good idea because they can keep pushing new episodes out as long as they want, kinda a double edge sword I agree for 30 mins it better not be more than 5 dollars (which in terms makes it 5 hours of play for 50 bucks) so it kinda a smart move.. if it works..

  • FIJIDAWG

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:21 am PT

    it's going to be a full game people!!!!! the style is in episodic form to make you play in short bursts. this way you don't have to invest 2-3 hours at a time playing, busy people can play for 30-40 min at a time and not get lost. it's a great idea actually and can make the game more exciting instead of dragging on.

  • twoism

    Posted May 2, 2006 7:07 am PT

    Am I the only one under the impression that it'll be a full retail game, except in the style of a tv show's box set?

  • RESIDENTEVILTWO

    Posted May 2, 2006 6:59 am PT

    I'm tired of catering to the lazy, casual gamer. Give me a game that lasts 20 hours! If you just want to play a little at a time...there's a thing which we call...SAVE THE GAME!

  • snakes2solid

    Posted May 2, 2006 6:54 am PT

    this better cost like 2.oo each..cause that's a pretty penny after 30 , 40 or more episodes....

  • NeoJedi

    Posted May 2, 2006 6:46 am PT

    Actually, episodic content is a good idea, if it's cheap of course.

  • paradyme777

    Posted May 2, 2006 6:25 am PT

    Wow, 30-40 minutes....that is not long at all. It better be really cheap...somewhere around $5-$10. No more then that though. The game looks cool and all but they should probably think about tacking on maybe 2-3 hour gameplay per game, then release it in episodes. I don't care if it takes them longer but I don't know if I can be pulled into a game with only 30 minutes of gameplay.

  • KontaktII

    Posted May 2, 2006 5:57 am PT

    I agree with Patinator...if it's cheap enough and HD space effective it should be a breath of fresh air.

  • CrazedColombian

    Posted May 2, 2006 5:55 am PT

    haha for 20 bucks thats so not worth it not to mention how long itll take to dl onto my 360. this is a dumb idea... if i wanted 40 min eps i watch tv

  • ThePatinator

    Posted May 2, 2006 5:40 am PT

    Provided it's cheap enough, it'll both be worth it and allow people to try it out without having to get the full thing. My question is how will it be distributed, as it'd cost at least 20 bucks if published on a disk and it'd be a lot of space from the hard drive if it's all of Xbox live.

  • cookien64

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:46 am PT

    yea but when you buy somthing its nice to know you have a hole game rather then what is a glorifyed demo

  • xxPantherxx

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:44 am PT

    cool idea... just how much will each episode cost... and will it be directed by Uwe Boll?

  • Nico4

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:42 am PT

    Sounds good

  • trifecta_basic

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:29 am PT

    wow, the percentage ratio of people who play versus finish the whole thing is going to be under 5%.

  • herbal23

    Posted May 2, 2006 4:04 am PT

    sound great!
    i love cliffhanging tv series.

  • twoism

    Posted May 2, 2006 3:21 am PT

    SuperSaiyan, they meant that each level will play out like an episode of a TV show. Lots of action, fast pacing, good story. They want to avoid having levels that take 2 hours to complete, to cater for casual gamers and make the game more exciting at the same time.

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