Pieces Interactive’s Alone in the Dark: A Lovecraftian Horror Story in Noir Style
Game Rant Interviews Alone in the Dark Developers on Characters, Writing, and Music in the Iconic Survival Horror Game's Modern Remake.
Alone in the Dark Developers Talk About Character Direction, Music, and More
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Looking for a spine-chilling adventure that combines Lovecraftian horror with a jazzy film noir twist? Look no further than Alone in the Dark by Pieces Interactive. This modern reimagining of the survival horror pioneer takes inspiration from classics like Resident Evil and Dead Space while offering a fresh take on the genre. The game stars none other than David Harbour from Stranger Things and Jodie Comer from Thirteen Days, breathing life into the two captivating protagonists. In a recent interview with GameTopic, creative director and writer Mikael Hedberg, along with composer and sound designer Árni Bergur Zoëga, shared some insights into the creative process behind the game.
Alone in the Dark Is Bringing Back Classic Characters From the Series
Q: Edward Carnby is a reference to John Carnby, a Cthulhu Mythos character from Clark Ashton Smith’s The Return of the Sorcerer. Is the remake faithful to other Lovecraftian homages seen in the original title?
Hedberg: Without spoiling anything, yes, there are a bunch of Lovecraft references. We tried to incorporate elements mentioned in the original game, either through clever text placements or by expanding on them.
Q: Edward Carnby is an iconic character who appeared in previous games. Is your version of Carnby a new take on the character or a preservation of his traditional personality/role?
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Hedberg: Edward started as a private detective with an impressive mustache but later evolved into more of an action hero. For our game, we wanted to return to his roots and portray him as a scholarly detective. However, when we paired him up with Emily, our story’s tormented character, he seemed lacking. To make him more interesting, we positioned him as a reluctant hero, giving him the essence of a classic noir detective. Overall, our version of Edward stays true to the original, minus the majestic mustache, of course.
Q: Emily Hartwood played a crucial role in the first game but disappeared in the sequels. What was it like bringing her back?
Hedberg: Bringing Emily back was essential. I pushed for her inclusion as I believe playing a slightly different character on a replay enriches the gaming experience. The idea was well-received, and getting Emily’s character back into the game turned out to be smooth sailing. I’m grateful that our publishers supported the decision, making everything easier.
Alone in the Dark Stars Acclaimed Actors David Harbour and Jodie Comer
Q: Were David Harbour and Jodie Comer your first choices for the leads? Why were they chosen?
Hedberg: Initially, I provided a shortlist of potential actors for the roles. However, the publishers urged me to dream bigger. Being given the freedom to aim higher, I suggested David and Jodie. Their suitability for the project was unquestionable. David’s portrayal of Hopper in Stranger Things made him a perfect fit for the noir detective role. Jodie, with her presence and strength of character, brought depth to Emily’s tormented role, preventing her from fading into Edward’s shadow. Together, they form a fantastic duo that fits the game flawlessly.
Q: What was it like working with David Harbour and Jodie Comer as the game’s protagonists?
Hedberg: Working with David and Jodie was an absolute pleasure. They are both incredibly talented and creative individuals. If anything, I wish we had more time together to further enhance their performances.
How Mikael Hedberg Approached Alone in the Dark’s Script
Q: How did your experience with other horror titles like Soma and Amnesia influence your approach to the script for Alone in the Dark?
Hedberg: What excited me the most about Alone in the Dark was the opportunity for characters to interact more. In previous projects like Soma and Amnesia, there were limitations due to production costs, resulting in minimal dialogue between characters. With Alone in the Dark, I was thrilled to delve deeper into character interactions. As for the comparison between these games, they are so distinct from each other that it’s hard to draw direct parallels.
Q: How did you balance preservation and modernization while writing the script for Alone in the Dark (2024)?
Hedberg: Balancing preservation and modernization was my aim from the start. The story is a pastiche, shamelessly embracing clichés. To preserve elements from the original game, we repurposed them, fitting them seamlessly into our narrative. To illustrate, imagine the original game as a statue which we broke into pieces. From those fragments, we built a new statue. It’s an irreverent yet loving approach.
Mikael Hedberg Provides Some Extra Background on the Characters
Q: Without spoiling the story, could you share some additional information about the presence called The Dark Man and the strange Hartwood family curse?
Hedberg: The Hartwood family suffers from a deteriorating melancholy, akin to what we refer to as depression today. As they grow older, their condition worsens, plagued by a sense of persecution and possession. Jeremy Hartwood, convinced he is haunted by a figure known as The Dark Man, fears its ultimate impact on him. Emily, being younger and yet to succumb fully to the curse, carries her own concerns about what the future holds.
Q: The prologue features Grace Saunders, who is painting in front of a manuscript titled Alone in the Dark, which hints at Jeremy Hartwood’s fate. Why did you choose to introduce the game through Grace’s perspective as a child?
Hedberg: There are several reasons. First, for Alone in the Dark 2, a short promotional game called Jack in the Dark allowed players to embody Grace Saunders. Since we repurposed Grace as a patient in an asylum, it made sense to allow players to play as her once again. Second, by having a child as the protagonist, players can adopt a more absent-minded approach and get lost in the surroundings. We also wanted to explore the contrast between Grace’s innocence and the darker themes of the game. Lastly, the opening shot of Grace tearing up the pages of Alone in the Dark symbolizes our analogy of building a new statue from the fragments of the original.
Alone in the Dark’s Doom Jazz Musical Score Is a Unique Blend of Moods and Textures
Q: What themes were you and Jason Köhnen aiming to achieve with the soundtrack? Is the song in the original reveal trailer an original composition?
Zoëga: We established four core pillars for the music: Drama, Horror, Mystery, and Noir. As we aimed to create something distinct from typical action games, I experimented with various musical styles in collaboration with Mikael Hedberg. The end result is a diverse range of musical expressions, including snappy lounge-jazz, melancholic tenderness, romantic beauty, chaotic horror, and old-school film-noir. Each style is carefully crafted to suit the game’s narrative, making it truly unique. The original song in the reveal trailer is a jazzy rendition of the folk song “The House of the Rising Sun,” adapted by our writer/director to fit the game’s story.
Q: Could you share more about the game’s original doom jazz soundtrack by Jason Köhnen? How does the soundtrack enhance the horror experience?
Zoëga: We toyed with the idea of incorporating doom jazz into the soundtrack early on but fully committed to it midway through development. Since doom jazz is a distinct genre, we decided to collaborate with an established group or individual from the genre to enhance the soundtrack’s authenticity. Jason Köhnen provided us with exceptional original songs, elevating the main menu track and adding depth to the overall score. I had the privilege of incorporating various elements from the doom jazz recordings throughout the soundtrack. For example, a distant saxophone lick and wispy percussion can inject a noir element into an orchestral movement, creating a more immersive experience. The textured and immersive nature of doom jazz complements the Lovecraftian horror atmosphere, providing players with an unforgettable musical journey.
To dive deeper into the world of Alone in the Dark, don’t forget to check out these fascinating articles:
- Alone in the Dark: The Origins and Evolution of Survival Horror Games
- The Influence of H.P. Lovecraft on Video Games
- David Harbour’s Unexpected Journey from Stranger Things to Alone in the Dark
- Exploring Jodie Comer’s Transition from Thirteen Days to Gaming
- The Art of Doom Jazz: A Unique Genre in Video Game Soundtracks
Don’t keep this thrilling news to yourself! Share this article with your friends, and let them join the conversation about Alone in the Dark. Who knows, they might even discover their new favorite horror game!
What are you most excited about in Alone in the Dark? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below! 👇
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