Alan Wake 2 Behind-the-Scenes Video Discusses Blurring the Line Between Sound Design and Music

Remedy Entertainment has released a few behind-the-scenes videos in the lead-up to Alan Wake 2’s launch, highlighting different aspects of the game and its development process. In a new behind-the-scenes video, the developer has turned its attention to the music and audio design of the highly anticipated survival horror sequel.

Audio director Richard Lapington and senior audio designer Gulli Gunnarsson start off the video by talking about how the challenges posed by the process of creating atmosphere and building tension through the use of audio design. The approach the studio has taken quite an intriguing approach to achieve those goals, with the developer wanting to “blur the line between sound design and music,” something that will be on full display in the Dark Place in particular.

Meanwhile, composer Petri Alanko – who also composed the first game’s music – also talks about some of the more unusual techniques he has used for his work on Alan Wake 2, like working with a lot of more unconventional instruments – like the Mega Marvin – while he also talks about replicating the sensation of nerve delay with audio design.

“If you have ever experienced something that shocks you, it takes a little while to really understand what happened,” Alanko says. “That’s called the nervous delay, or nerve delay, basically. If you delay that sound effect for just a little bit, it increases your own bodily effect, and it becomes much more powerful that way.”

Additionally, Alan Wake 2 will also see Remedy working with Finnish rock band Poets of the Fall once again. As in the original Alan Wake, the band will appear as a fictional band in the Alan Wake universe, and has recorded songs that are “custom made to comment on the plot and the lore of the world,” as per writer and creative director Sam Lake.

Check out the video below for more insight into the process of crafting Alan Wake 2’s sound and music.

Alan Wake 2 is due out on October 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Meanwhile, new details and gameplay footage will also be arriving on September 27, courtesy of a recent round of hands-on previews.