Alone in the Dark remake has been delayed again to avoid Christmas crunch

I’ve collected video game delay notices like Christmas candy, and today I have one more to shove in the stocking. The Alone in the Dark remake has been delayed once more until early next year — but the reason should leave most feeling jolly.

The Alone in the Dark remake is moving from its (already delayed) January 2024 launch to later on March 20, 2024. Publisher THQ Nordic and developer Pieces Interactive sent out a notice for the delay. It wrote that the companies are pushing the game a bit longer in order to “avoid any potential crunch over the Christmas holidays.”

Alone in the Dark delayed until March to prevent any holiday humbug

Frankly, I’m totally okay with this reasoning. Normally, I’m also perfectly fine with companies delaying for polish reasons. But allowing game developers to relax and sip hot cocoa during the holidays without the ghost of Christmas crunch looming overhead is a big win in my book. Of course, additional game polish is a goal with the delay.

“THQ Nordic and Pieces Interactive want to ensure that the game not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the community,” THQ Nordic explained, “especially with the outstanding performances of Hollywood stars David and Jodie as the main protagonists.”

The Alone in the Dark remake returns to the series’ roots, mashing together psychological horror with “Southern Gothic” charm. It starts David Harbour and Jodie Comer as co-protagonists Edward Carnby and Emily Hartwood, respectively. The story was penned by Mikael Hedberg of SOMA and Amnesia fame. A Guillermo del Toro collaborator, Guy Davis, is contributing monster designs.

So far, Alone in the Dark is looking promising. But then again, anything would appear significantly better than what the series has been dishing out for the last 15 years or so.