Remedy Entertainment says it didn’t want Alan Wake 2 to “go neck to neck” with other major releases scheduled for mid-October.

Remedy Entertainment recently announced that it had pushed back Alan Wake 2’s launch by 10 days to later in October, stating that it was moving to a later window due to the crowded release schedule for mid-October this year.

In a recent interview with IGN, writer and creative director Sam Lake touched on the delay again, mentioning that the developer didn’t want to “go neck to neck” with other major releases planned for what’s a very busy period- in particular, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which is due out on October 20, just three days after Alan Wake 2’s previous launch date.

“We were looking at the week and we were looking at these brilliant, brilliant giant games coming out, Spider-Man 2 and all, and just felt like, well, we don’t have to go neck to neck. We can just kind of shift it a couple of days,” Lake said when asked about the delay.

When Alan Wake 2’s launch date was first announced earlier this year, game director Kyle Rowley suggested Remedy was unconcerned about the packed release window.

In addition to Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, October 20 will also see the launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, while a number of other major titles are also lined up for the mid-October period, including the likes of Forza Motorsport, Sonic Superstars, and Lords of the Fallen, among others. Assassin’s Creed Mirage was also previously due out on October 12, but its release was recently brought forward by a week to October 5.

Alan Wake 2 is now set to launch on October 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Make sure to check out its recent trailer from Gamescom Opening Night Live 2023, and extensive new gameplay footage showcasing The Dark Place.