Alan Wake Officially Dated for May 18

Microsoft has put out a flurry of news in the last few days, confirming a downloadable content pack for Modern Warfare 2 on the Xbox 360 and a special bundle including a gaming console with a 250 GB hard drive and a copy of the Western release of Final Fantasy XIII.

But for some gamers, the biggest news is that Microsoft has finally confirmed that Alan Wake, the game on which Remedy has been working for about five years, is set to be released on the Xbox 360 home gaming console on May 18 in the United States and three days later in Europe. Originally, Alan Wake was also set to arrive on the PC but that version of the game is on hold at the moment.

Microsoft has also announced that it will be offering a Limited Edition version of Alan Wake set to include a new game box, with unique art, a 144-page book called “The Alan Wake Files” featuring a short story and FBI files on Bright Falls, a soundtrack of the videogame, exclusive Xbox Live theme and an Avatar that can be used on the Xbox 360, and in-game audio commentary and hints, which can be accessed at any time. Those who shell out the 80 dollars for the Limited Edition are also set to get a token, which can be used to receive the first downloadable content pack for Alan Wake.

The Redmond-based company has also announced that all those who pre-order Alan Wake will be getting the Bright Falls Bonus Pack featuring an Xbox 360 theme, a making-of video detailing the history of the title and some Avatar-specific gear.

Alan Wake is set to tell the story of a writer who moves to a small town in search of inspiration. Once his wife disappears and strange things begin to happen around him, the main character starts to investigate why a novel he cannot remember writing is becoming reality all around him.