Remedy's Sam Lake on Finding Collaborators Who Elevate Your Work

Sam Lake, Remedy's creative director, recently shared his insights on three decades of game development, highlighting the significance of collaboration and teamwork in creating exceptional games. Lake's journey began in 1996 as a writer on Remedy's first game, Death Rally, and evolved into directing and creative directing roles. He co-directed Alan Wake 2 with Kyle Rowley and worked closely with art director Janne Pulkkinen to maintain the game's vision. Lake stressed the importance of finding partners who make you better and give you energy, citing his experiences with actors Matthew Porretta and Ilkka Villi, who portray Alan Wake. He also discussed the concept of the Remedy connected universe, which features Alan Wake and Control, and how it provides a wealth of material to explore. Lake emphasized the value of utilizing different mediums to tell complex stories, as seen in Alan Wake's use of lore and callbacks. He also highlighted the importance of practical effects, such as building 1:1 sets for live-action scenes, to create a unique gaming experience. Lake believes that games are becoming the most advanced form of storytelling due to their interactivity and ability to explore various genres. He encouraged developers to experiment and find their own voice, citing Remedy's approach to incorporating Finnish culture into their games as an example. Lake reflected on his three decades of work, expressing pride in every game and achievement, and emphasized that his ideas are informed by his past experiences.