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When Sam Lake and Remedy first started using the term Remedy Connected Universe (RCU) around the time of the release ofControl’s AWE expansion, most assumed that it was nothing more than a move to chase trends started by the likes of Marvel and DC—just slightly more insane and horror-themed.
Fast-forward to the release ofAlan Wake 2’s The Lake House DLClast month, however, and it is crystal clear to all of us that the RCU is no longer just some buzzword. This connected universe is a living, breathing narrative ecosystem that’s about as real as anything gets in gaming.
Sam Lake’s Remedy Connected Universe Now Begins in Full Swing
In a recentinterview, Lake reflected on his studio’s journey so far and elaborated on what the Remedy Connected Universe means for him and his team now.
According to him, the crossover betweenControlandAlan Wake—now culminating inThe Lake House DLC—is more than just a clever little nod to the studio’s fans.
It is, in essence, a rather purposeful merging of two different storylines with different settings and tone. Speaking on his passion for such interconnecting stories and elaborating on whether he sees an end to it anytime soon, Lake said:
“I feel we are just getting started, so it’s too early to start talking about an endgame. I love tying these things together. I love making it deeper and expanding on the lore. It really feels like this kind of opportunity to take these strands that we have put there, expand, entertain different ideas. It feels really exciting. And the way we are looking at it, every game needs to be enjoyable on its own and stand on its own feet.”
To be honest, hearing the man himself say this feels like a sigh of relief, especially that last bit. Instead of focusing on some “grand finale” already, Lake wants his individual games to stand out on their own and not some filler for the bigger picture.
When you think about it, the concept of connected universes isn’t exactly new to gaming. After all, we gotHalf-LifeandPortal’sshared universe, Arkane’sDeathloopandDishonoreduniverse, and, of course, the interconnected worlds of Rockstar withGTAandRed Dead Redemption.
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But for our money, what Remedy is trying to achieve with the RCU is on a whole other level. From what we can tell, the studio seems less interested in planting sly Easter eggs and more focused on creating a meticulously interconnected web of ideas.
Lake himself praised this approach, emphasizing thatControl’s AWE DLCandThe Lake Housewere designed with deliberate reciprocity, each enriching the other IPs’ core themes and ideas.
At the end of the day, though, it is exciting to speculate on how this connected universe will realize its potential from here on out, blending horror, action, and a few cerebral thrills our minds simply aren’t ready for. If The Lake House is any indication, the RCU is no longer a gimmick—it’s a commitment to evolving how games can weave worlds together.
What are some of the pitfalls Sam Lake can avoid with the RCU?
Now, despite Lake and his team making his dedication to the project clear, history is proof that any such connected universe project in any medium can face a few massive challenges as it continues to grow.
Take the MCU, for example, which offers a cautionary tale of how even the most promising projects can lose focus when overburdened by sprawling, interconnected projects and playing all its best cards a little too early.
Based on our observation, Remedy’s strengths lie in how it utilizes its creativity and how it restrains said creativity is what’s going to matter at the end of the day.
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So, instead of inundating fans with spin-offs, side stories or just overwhelming them with lore, Remedy should maintain a balance: delivering stand-alone narratives that take the studio’s signature creative risks while layering subtle, interconnected pieces of places, characters, and stories in between.
The main lesson, then, is that overexplaining or overexpanding risks turning intrigue into fatigue very quickly—a fate the RCU must avoid. Take it slow and play the long game.
We’re also concerned about Remedy’s recent partnership with Annapurnafor the live-action adaptation ofControlandAlan Wake, which poses risks of its own.
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While expanding into film and TV can undoubtedly broaden the RCU’s appeal, translating the surrealistic and cerebral nature of the games and explaining their very existence in the world of prestige media might become a bit difficult. After all, asAlan Wake 2andControlhave shown, these titles already merge the worlds of film and TV within themselves.
Still, if anyone can navigate these pitfalls, it’s Sam Lake and his team. Given their knack for crafting uncanny, layered worlds with memorable experiences, the RCU will surely survive in the long run with the right decisions. That said, here’s hoping they continue to keep it bold, weird, and unmistakably Remedy.
But what do you think about Lake’s ambitions for the RCU? Are you excited about its future, or do you fear it might become too unwieldy? Let us know in the comments below!
Akshit Dangi
Writer - Gaming
Articles Published :266
Akshit is a supposed human being and gaming writer who lurks in different corners of the internet in search of fascinating rabbit holes. Outside of that, though, you’ll most likely find him staring at a piece of art for days or completing another playthrough of Silent Hill.
