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Remedy Entertainment

10/30/2010

5 Comments

 
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I just returned from a complicated 2 week business trip.  In the "last but not least" category, I ended the trip with 3 days in Helsinki (well, technically Espoo) working for Remedy Entertainment.  Their high-tech offices pictured above are in a suburb just a 15 minute drive from Helsinki.  I came out there 2 years ago to provide an outside eye to help them with some design issues on Alan Wake, released earlier this year, and was happy to be able to get involved with their plans for next steps early in the process.


The Remedy team is very impressive.  They have a very cohesive group - many have been with them since the early Max Payne days, and there's a great vibe in the office of a group of people that know each other well and enjoy working together.  I feel a particular affinity to Remedy as they are a bit unusual as a developer, with a remarkably small team (a few dozen people) to create great AAA games like Alan Wake, and a strong focus on single-player, story intensive games that reminds me of my LucasArts roots.  Sam Lake (Sami Järvi), their lead writer has that rare combination of a great sense of story development and design mixed with an ability to make the story work in an interactive context. Saku Lehtinen brings a strong sense of visual quality that has become a Remedy trademark, their games are very striking, and they manage to blend the story and look of the game into a great synergistic whole.  They also have a very strong and benevolent management team and structure, with people from the top down who care both about making great games and keeping a high quality of life.  Matias Myllrinne, Markus Maki, and Jyrri (Jay) Ranki all have their specialty positions to keep the company running smoothly while creating games that look like they were made with teams 5 times larger.  I can't say much about what I actually worked on with them, but I expect players to be very happy with the results, they're very honest about examining their own work for areas of improvement.  Their plans are both loyal to their fan base, and boldly incorporating some very fun story ideas that already are spawning some mind-blowing gameplay and imagery.  I can divulge one secret weapon that helps their productivity:
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Their espresso machine is amazing - as a fan of cappuccino, I love the little refrigerator at the left that is connected by hoses to supply cold milk for steaming, and the two bins for coffee (regular beans and espresso roast, depending on the drink - no decaf here!) that grinds the beans fresh for each shot, and turns out excellent drinks in seconds.  Very helpful for the dark of winter (you only have to look outside to see where they got the idea for Alan Wake finding his way through dim, menacing forests) and for jet-lagged American visitors.
5 Comments
GameDreamer link
11/9/2010 08:14:29 am

Awesome post! I've been a huge fan of Remedy since the Death Rally days and especially since Max Payne. It's always nice to hear things about the studio and people's experiences there.

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gamefreak
11/11/2010 12:29:53 pm

Huge fan of remedy since Max Payne..Thats good for you guys that a business man got to visit your studio and see that "Remedy knows how to deliver a action packed third person thriller game".And it was interesting to see what the studio looks like on the inside and outside.

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Moeez Siddiqui
11/18/2010 03:26:12 am

Please tell me that they're working on more content for Alan Wake?

Because without a doubt, Alan Wake is best game of 2010. Lighting is bloody ridiculous, combat is immensely satisfying dance, storytelling is much more interactive than most other story games (ie all the cool stuff isn't in cutscenes), characters are heartwarming, and so much variety to the levels and scenarios like the mental hospital.

And only "a few dozen" people? What the flying bejesus?! Are they indie, or what"!

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Facebook link
6/13/2013 04:11:37 pm

I really liked the high tech office of the Remedy Entertainment. I am too a great fan of Max Payne. I am quite sure that you have enjoyed working in this office.

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check this site link
7/24/2013 05:00:58 pm

Remedy Entertainments are one among the largest game manufacturers in the world. They were the master brain behind the super hit Max Payne games. Good to know their office is equipped with most modern equipments and have all modern facilities. Thanks for sharing your experience visiting their office at Helsinki.

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